Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Mausoleum Entrance Fees

In this article, we look at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Mausoleum Entrance Fees. Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Mausoleum at Kang’o ka Jaramogi in Bondo, Siaya County, is a must-visit for history lovers. It holds a rich legacy of the independence hero who helped shape Kenya’s political history. The mausoleum is a cultural, historical monument erected in remembrance of Kenya’s first Vice-President Jaramogi Oginga Odinga. The beautiful historical site is a one-stop community museum and a Luo heroes exhibition centre.

The entrance is beautiful as trees are on the path from the main road to the main gate. Sculptured lions at the entrance of the mausoleum, signify the relentless spirit the doyen of Opposition politics held during his days of the struggle. In the neatly arranged mausoleum, there are stuffed animals and Luo cultural equipment including weapons and traditional artefacts.

The most fascinating moment is when one is taken through the political journey of the hero from the pictures carefully framed and hanging on the wall. In the eye-catching pictorial, Jaramogi’s life as a Vice-President and as a leader of the Opposition is showcased. The pictures also depict his days as a teacher, statesman and a Pan Africanist.

Luo artefacts such as spears, arrows, bows and shields, which Jaramogi used when he was a Ker (Luo community leader) are also on display. His stature earned him admiration and recognition in the Luo community, which revered him as Ker — a title previously held by the fabled classical Luo King, Ramogi Ajwang’, who reigned 400 years before him. Vowing to uphold the ideals of Ker, he came to be known as Jaramogi (man of the Ramogi people.)

The mausoleum also has a library section where some of the famous books that tell the history of the country are kept. One of the books that are prominently displayed here is Jaramogi’s “Not Yet Uhuru” which has a wealth of information about the struggle for independence and the years after Kenya attained self-rule. In the book, Jaramogi writes candidly about his excitement when he first met Mzee Kenyatta. It is in his outpouring autobiography that he estimates that he was born in October 1911.

Jaramogi Oginga Odinga’s Grave

Jaramogi’s marble grave stands out in the huge mausoleum. There is a guide ready to conduct visitors around the mausoleum and also tell stories about the life of this prominent figure in Kenya’s struggle for independence. Jaramogi’s grave has a sculpture of a lion on top of it. His famous quote, “Freedom has a price” is neatly inscribed on the wall to signify the road to freedom Jaramogi advocated for.

A stroll inside the main building adjacent to where the grave is reveals a collection of pictures placed in categories alongside other regalia, including eight different caps that Jaramogi wore and his walking sticks. At one end, there are pictures of some former African leaders, including Emperor Haile Sellasie, Kwame Nkurmah, Nelson Mandela and others.

Then there is the famous Kanu shield with the word “Nyayo” which elicits memories of the 1980s. The mausoleum also has the names of several colonial governors who watched over the Kenyan British Colony before the country attained independence.

Apart from the pictures, there is a section with the portraits of all the chief justices, deputy presidents and prime ministers who have served the country since 1963. Assassinated political leaders, among them Pio Gama Pinto, Dedan Kimathi and JM Kariuki have also been celebrated with their portraits prominently displayed.

One of the most iconic artefacts that make the mausoleum a special repository of Kenya’s history is the 1901 picture of Florence Preston, the wife of a railway engineer. The picture was taken on December 20, 1901, and it shows the place where the 931-kilometer Kenya-Uganda railway touched Lake Victoria. This, perhaps, is the moment the lakeside trading post was named Port Florence. The picture tells the story of the beginning of Kisumu, which has grown from a small centre to a leading economic hub in Western Kenya.

Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Mausoleum Entry Fees

This museum, run by the local community was set up in honour of the late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, the country’s first vice president and is located at his residential place. The well-versed guides will take you through a historic class of the late Jaramogi’s deeds, his achievements and how well he served the country, as well as the Luo culture and what each artefact represents in their culture.

The entry fee is Ksh 100 for adults and Ksh 50 for children. But don’t forget to tip the guides for their exemplary work.