Kisumu woman completes 72-hour pillar hug in tribute to Raila Odinga
Lavender Wesonga, a 22-year-old Kenyan woman, completed a 72-hour pillar-hugging challenge in Kisumu to honor the late opposition leader Raila Odinga. The duration of the challenge symbolized the time between Odinga's death and his burial, and she has since been hospitalized for exhaustion.
Why it matters
The event underscores the deep cultural and political impact of Raila Odinga's legacy in Kenya and the intense devotion of his supporters.
A 22-year-old Kisumu woman, Lavender Wesonga, holds the pillar in tribute to Raila Odinga./SCREENGRAB
A 22-year-old woman from Kisumu has completed a gruelling 72-hour pillar-hugging challenge in honour of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, pushing through exhaustion and harsh weather to pay tribute to the man she called Baba.
Lavender Wesonga finished the challenge at 3.20 pm yesterday at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Sports Complex in Kisumu, having held onto the pillar for three consecutive days.
The 72 hours symbolised the period between Raila’s death and his burial.
Shortly after completing the challenge, Wesonga said the tribute was her way of expressing grief and celebrating Raila’s legacy.
“I am happy to finish this challenge in honour of Raila Odinga. I will continue upholding his legacy. Baba loved everyone, regardless of where they came from, and I will miss him,” she said.
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