ODM Director of Communications Philip Etale has mourned Raila Odinga, following his untimely passing at a hospital in India where he was undergoing treatment.
Read his emotional tribute below:
You called me your son. You called me by my first name Philip. When we spoke on Monday, you gave me hope and promised me that you would be back home in a few days. When I was nothing, when my life was in disarray, when I felt empty, you held my hand, protected and defended me.
You were my go to person. When I was just 19 years old, our paths crossed and from that day (June of 2000) we have been friends. You have been a father to me. You have been my best friend. I vividly remember, when I had just lost my job in a leading media house, it was you, Hon. William Ruto and Hon. Reuben Ndolo who rang me.
You were seated somewhere and instructed me to see Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o and Madam Janet Ong’era for further instructions. You are one of the realest people who had a heart of gold. My phone call never went unanswered and if you missed it, you would call back.
When my parents passed on, you stood by me. On January 14 2014 when word went round that my had lost my mother, you were the first person to call me. I was literally crying. Sobbing like a baby. I was just 33 years old and I had lost a very close person to me. Your words of encouragement made me have a cool heart as I took the flight to Eldoret when my mother had died in an hospital.
When I lost my son, you stood with me. On some occasions, you would call me and refer to me as OMWAMI, then greet me in Luhya, “omwami orie, oli omulamu”… When others simply called you Agwambo, I went official “yes Sir” because you meant a lot to me. When you aide George Oduor passed on, I rang you sobbing, you consoled me. You told me “Philip, I know what you are feeling, I am also feeling the same”. I have accepted. I am gutted. I am deflated. Go well Sir. I will miss you.
Read More:
Details Of How Raila Odinga Died In India On Wednesday Morning While On A Morning Walk
Breaking News: Raila Odinga Dies in India After Suffering Acute Heart Attack
