Missionary Refused to Baptize Raila Odinga — Bishop Finally Reveals Hidden Story Behind His Name

As Kenyans continue to celebrate the life and legacy of the late former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga, a deeply personal and little-known story from his early years has surfaced — one that reveals how his faith, culture, and defiance shaped his destiny.

Speaking during the ongoing funeral proceedings, Bishop David Kodia of the Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK), Diocese of Bondo, disclosed that Raila’s baptism was once delayed under controversial circumstances.

According to Bishop Kodia, a white missionary priest refused to baptize young Raila because of his African name, insisting that he must adopt a Western or “Christian” name such as John or David before the ceremony could proceed.

However, Raila’s father, the late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, stood his ground — refusing to abandon the family’s Luo identity despite pressure from the missionary. Determined to preserve his son’s heritage, Jaramogi sought another Anglican clergyman who agreed to baptize Raila under his original name.

“Raila’s baptism was not an easy one. Some missionaries at the time wanted African children to carry foreign names, but his father rejected that. Raila was baptized as he was — Raila Amolo Odinga,” Bishop Kodia revealed.

The bishop explained that the incident captured the tension between faith and colonial influence, showing how Raila’s life would later mirror the same resistance and courage his father displayed.

 “This act was symbolic — it showed the family’s pride in their roots and their defiance against systems that undermined African identity,” Kodia added.

Despite his busy political career, Raila remained a devoted member of the Anglican Church and continued to uphold his faith as part of his identity.

Many Kenyans have since interpreted this revelation as a reflection of Raila’s lifelong determination to defend what he believed in — from standing up to colonial authority in his childhood to fighting for democracy and justice in his adulthood.

As the nation prepares to bid farewell to one of its most influential leaders, stories like these shed new light on the principles that guided him — faith, courage, cultural pride, and an unyielding belief in freedom.