Kenyan content creator Dem wa Facebook has paid her final respects to the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga at his home in Bondo, Siaya County. In an emotional post shared on Instagram on Monday, November 3, 2025, the comedian expressed deep sorrow and admiration for the fallen opposition leader.
“I finally got the chance to pay my last respects to BABA. Go well, Jakom. Go well, BABA. We miss you,” she wrote, alongside photos taken from the gravesite. Her heartfelt message quickly resonated with thousands of followers who joined her in mourning and celebrating Raila’s legacy.
Why is Dem wa Facebook calling for one tribute song?
The visit follows Dem wa Facebook’s earlier call for Kenyan musicians to unite in releasing a single, powerful tribute song to honor the late Odinga. Speaking in a TikTok video on Sunday, October 19, 2025, she urged artistes to put aside competition and personal differences, using Tanzania’s unity during the mourning of former President John Magufuli as an example.
“When Tanzanian musicians lost a national leader, they united to release one collaborative song that resonated across the nation, rather than producing multiple individual tributes,” she said.
Dem wa Facebook noted that while comedians cannot make jokes during such a solemn period, artistes have the unique ability to use music to express national grief. “Yes, we said it, right now, musicians are singing tribute songs, but we comedians, we can’t do anything because we cannot make fun of a funeral. At this moment, we are just giving our opinions,” she said.
How can unity strengthen Kenya’s creative industry during national mourning?
In her message, Dem wa Facebook warned that releasing many separate tribute songs could weaken the emotional impact of the gesture. “You have seen how the comedian said that Kenyan artistes should come together and release one meaningful song instead of each doing their own,” she said, emphasizing that a united project would better reflect national unity and respect for Raila’s contribution to Kenya.
She further explained that collaborative tributes not only honor the departed but also strengthen the creative industry by showcasing teamwork and shared purpose. “And it is true, when our neighbours, the Tanzanians, mourned, they came up with one smart song that even trended until now. Do not each release your own song. You sing a bad song. Instead, unite instead of singing one bad song each,” she said.
Dem wa Facebook also echoed the sentiments of Tom Daktari, cautioning artistes against using tribute songs as a means to gain YouTube views or subscriptions. “And as Tom Daktari said, if you sing a funeral or mournful song, do not use it to get YouTube subscriptions or views. Do not do that,” she added.
By Risper Akinyi