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A grieving ODM leader Raila Odinga on Sunday mourned his eldest and most politically active son, Fidel, who was found dead in his bed after a night out with friends.

Fidel Castro Odinga, 41, was found unresponsive early yesterday morning by his wife, Lwam Getachew Bekele, in a spare bedroom at their Karen home in Nairobi.

Ms Bekele called Mr Odinga and his wife Ida, who rushed to the house barely four kilometres from their residence. On arrival, Mr Odinga called a doctor to attend to Fidel, but it was too late.

The Cord leader and former Prime Minister was so overcome by the loss of his eldest son that he could not speak. He spent the whole day by the bedside of his son until the body was taken to the mortuary last evening.

In his autobiography, Flames of Freedom, the ODM leader, says Fidel was a gentle soul despite his imposing height.

The sudden death united leaders from across the political divide in consoling the bereaved family. Among those who sent messages of condolences were President Uhuru Kenyatta, Deputy President William Ruto and former President Mwai Kibaki, who all had a common thread in their messages — there is no pain like losing a child. Kenyans also joined the family in mourning, sending their messages through social media.

Police immediately launched a full-scale investigation into Fidel’s death, seeking out and interviewing the friends he had spent his last moments with during their night out in various Nairobi clubs.

Fidel left his father’s residence in Karen some minutes before 2pm on Saturday.

CID Director Ndegwa Muhoro was among the first to arrive at Fidel’s home, together with forensic detectives.

The government chief pathologist, Dr Johansen Oduor, was also present as was a family pathologist who could not be immediately identified. They all spent hours examining the scene where the young Odinga died. It was not until 6.15 pm that the body was taken to the Lee Funeral Home.

Kilimani Police Station CID boss Peter Mungai said three people had recorded statements about Fidel’s movements. He said several people, including Fidel’s friends will be interrogated to establish exactly what happened.

“It is too early to give information based on what we have so far,” he said. 

Credit: Daily Nation