By TWV Political Desk
What was expected to be a high-profile funeral for former minister Dalmas Otieno in Migori County turned into a subdued affair after the region’s most senior politician skipped the event.
The absence of Raila Odinga, a long-time political giant not only in Nyanza but across the country, has sparked speculation within the political spectrum. While Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga read Raila’s condolence message, he offered no explanation, leaving unanswered questions as to whether Raila was abroad, unwell, or deliberately avoiding the event.
The strained relations between Raila and Dalmas stretch back more than a decade. Though the two were once allies, Raila having appointed Dalmas as a minister during the grand coalition government, their political paths diverged sharply ahead of the 2013 elections. Dalmas decamped to Uhuru Kenyatta’s Jubilee Party, a move that Raila’s allies viewed as betrayal.
The fall-out became evident when Raila skipped the burial of Dalmas’ daughter in 2014, dismissing the event as a “Jubilee affair”. Ironically, then-President Uhuru Kenyatta attended. Dalmas deepened the rift when he contested the Migori gubernatorial seat on a Jubilee ticket in 2017, directly challenging Raila’s preferred candidate, Ochilo Ayacko. Dalmas finished a distant third, securing just over 21,000 votes compared to Ayacko’s commanding 175,000.
In 2014, Dalmas further antagonised Raila by launching Kalausi, a political movement meaning “whirlwind”, which sought to assert South Nyanza’s autonomy from Raila’s Central Nyanza power base. Though initially seen as a threat, Raila’s shrewd political manoeuvring dismantled the movement, consigning its members to political obscurity by the 2017 elections.
Interestingly, Raila was not the only political heavyweight missing. Former President Uhuru Kenyatta, once a close ally of Dalmas, also skipped the burial. Analysts suggest Uhuru avoided the event to sidestep an awkward encounter with President William Ruto, given his recent public criticism of Ruto’s administration.
Moreover, despite their political divergences, Uhuru remains on cordial terms with Raila. Sources hint that Uhuru may have opted out to avoid embarrassment from Raila’s supporters, particularly after Raila signalled his support for Fred Matiang’i ahead of 2027.
Dalmas Otieno’s political journey was defined by bold gambles, many of which pitted him against Raila. His open recognition of Ruto’s 2022 victory, even as Raila disputed the results, was perceived as a final act of betrayal.
For Raila and his allies, attending Dalmas’ funeral was deemed politically unnecessary, if not damaging. By staying away, Raila sent a silent yet unmistakable message: the political wounds between him and Dalmas had never healed.
