Fidel Castro Makarios Odhiambo Odinga, born in 1973, was the eldest son of Raila and Ida Odinga, and the grandson of Kenya’s independence hero, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga. His sudden death in Karen, Nairobi, shocked the nation and left a deep void in the Odinga family.
Married to Lwam Getachew Bekele, an Eritrean national, Fidel was a devoted husband and father to their only child. Before this union, he was briefly married to Veronica Wanjiru, from whom he parted ways over irreconcilable differences. Despite his prominence, Fidel valued privacy, keeping his family out of the limelight and living a life defined by calm strength and purpose.
Education and Early Life
Fidel began his education at Consolata Primary School in Westlands, later joining Mbeji Academy in Siaya County, a school owned by the late Thomas Ogembo, founder of the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE).
After high school, he pursued further studies in India, before transferring to Washington, D.C., United States, where he completed his education and began working. He returned to Kenya shortly before the 2002 general elections, when the NARC coalition came to power, marking his quiet reentry into Kenyan political and business life.
Business Ventures and Political Involvement
By the time of his death, Fidel Odinga had become a successful businessman, dealing in petroleum products and construction materials, notably bitumen importation and supply. However, beyond his business acumen, Fidel was also deeply rooted in politics — not as a public figure, but as a strategic operative in his father’s network.
According to Raila’s spokesman Dennis Onyango, Fidel was “a quiet backroom operator who understood the inner workings of the political terrain.” He maintained vast networks in Kibera and Lang’ata, helping sustain ODM’s grassroots structures. Onyango described him as “the man who kept Raila’s political machinery well-oiled,” often raising funds and connecting influential supporters while staying away from the spotlight.
He was, in many ways, to Raila Odinga what Raila had been to Jaramogi — a loyal son working tirelessly behind the scenes to strengthen the family’s political legacy.
Personality and Legacy
Friends and family describe Fidel as soft-spoken, kind-hearted, and generous. He was admired for his humility, his easygoing nature, and his ability to connect with people from all walks of life.
His cousin Elijah Oburu recalled that Fidel was always ready to help: “He would bail out friends and family members in times of need. The Odinga family has lost a generous man who always looked after others.”
Fidel’s life reflected a balance between his family heritage and his own individuality. He admired his father’s courage and political vision but chose a quieter path. Raila’s spokesman noted that Fidel’s humility mirrored that of Jaramogi, explaining that “he could dine with the powerful one day and share a meal in a local kiosk the next.”
Fidel’s sister Rosemary Odinga described him as “the glue that held the family together.” When the government once withdrew their father’s security detail, Fidel personally provided vehicles and private security for Raila, demonstrating deep love and commitment.
Even Ida Odinga acknowledged that her son had built his own independent network that supported both family business and politics, describing him as “self-driven, well-connected, and visionary.”
The Final Hours
Fidel’s lifeless body was discovered in his Karen home, prompting an outpouring of grief across Kenya. Police launched investigations into the cause of death as family, friends, and political allies rushed to the scene.
Among the mourners was Caroli Omondi, Raila’s former private secretary, who broke down upon seeing Fidel’s body. Messages of condolence poured in from across the political divide, with former aide Miguna Miguna describing him as “a fine, decent young man with a bright future.”
Fidel’s passing was more than a family tragedy — it marked the end of a political promise. Many believed he was preparing to enter active politics in 2017, potentially to continue the Odinga dynasty’s influence.
A Legacy of Quiet Influence
Fidel Odinga’s story is not one of public speeches or grand gestures, but of subtle power and loyalty. He was the unseen strategist who strengthened his father’s political base, the businessman who connected slums to boardrooms, and the son who stood as a pillar of stability for the Odinga family.
In the words of Dennis Onyango, “Fidel loved his father deeply and would have taken a bullet for him. He was intelligent, calm, and committed — the kind of man who worked quietly but left a lasting mark.”
Even in his absence, Fidel remains a symbol of the Odinga family’s resilience, a reflection of the quiet power that shaped one of Kenya’s most enduring political legacies.
