Raila Odinga deserves a presidential center and not a mere KSh 30 million museum; Mathews Owili
Raila Odinga deserves a presidential center and not a mere KSh 30 million museum; Mathews Owili
The government’s decision to allocate Ksh 30 million for the establishment of a Raila Odinga Museum in the 2026/27 Financial Year has ignited debate over how Kenya should preserve the legacy of one of its most influential political figures.
Among those weighing into the discussion is Kisumu Deputy Governor Dr. Mathew Owili, a longtime political ally and mentee of Raila Odinga, who argues that the allocation falls far short of what is required to properly document and preserve the former Prime Minister’s contribution to Kenya’s democratic evolution.
In a sharp critique of the proposal, Dr. Owili said limiting Raila’s legacy to a museum funded through a Ksh 30 million allocation risks reducing decades of democratic struggle into a symbolic project with little long-term impact.
“The allocation is a welcome recognition of Raila Odinga’s immense contribution to Kenya and Africa. However, we must ask ourselves whether Ksh 30 million can adequately preserve a legacy that spans the Second Liberation, constitutional reforms, devolution, national reconciliation and Pan-African engagement,” said Dr. Owili.
The Deputy Governor argued that Kenya should instead establish a Raila Odinga Presidential Centre and Library, modeled on internationally recognized presidential institutions that serve as centres of research, leadership development and historical preservation.
According to Dr. Owili, a museum is primarily a repository of artifacts, while a presidential centre is a living institution that continues to generate knowledge and shape future generations.
“Raila Odinga’s contribution to Kenya’s democratic journey cannot be confined within the walls of a conventional museum. His life story is intertwined with the story of Kenya’s struggle for freedom, constitutionalism, devolution and social justice. Future generations need more than display cabinets and photographs. They need a place where they can study, interrogate and draw inspiration from the ideals he fought for,” he said.
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Owili said the Raila project presents an opportunity for the country to create an institution that goes beyond commemorating an individual and instead documents Kenya’s democratic journey through one of its most prominent political actors.
He proposed the creation of a presidential library and democratic archive housing records on the struggle for multiparty democracy, constitutional reform and devolution, alongside a leadership and governance centre offering fellowships, policy discussions and civic education programs.
The facility, he added, could also serve as a major tourism and academic destination through interactive exhibitions, digital archives and research facilities.
The Deputy Governor further suggested that the Ksh 30 million allocation should be treated as seed capital to establish an independent foundation capable of mobilizing additional resources from development partners, philanthropists, the private sector and the Kenyan diaspora.
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