Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga and his wife Ida Odinga on Friday morning left the country for South Africa.
Posting on his Twitter, the NASA principal stated: "H.E Raila Odinga and Mama Ida Odinga departing for Johannesburg, South Africa where they shall be attending the funeral of anti-apartheid icon Winnie Mandela."
Upon her demise, Mrs Odinga noted: "The world has lost one of its strongest! A hero, warrior, liberator, while heaven has gained an Angel. R.I.P Mama."
[caption caption="File image of Ida Odinga and Winnie Mandela"]
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The Opposition leader also exclaimed: "Mama Ida and I have received the news of Winnie Mandela's passing with a personal sense of loss.
"She was and remains an inspiration and a hero and a close friend of our family. We admired and retain fond memories of her courageous defiance. We take comfort in the knowledge that her place in the history of the liberation of the downtrodden across the world is secure," expressed Raila on his social media pages.
The two have always enjoyed a good relationship with the Mandelas.
Ida has in the past been referred to as the "Winnie Mandela" of Kenya following her struggle during her husband's detention during former President Daniel Moi's regime.
Winnie Madikizela-Mandela will be laid to rest in the tranquil and exclusive Fourways Memorial Park on Saturday.
The park‚ which was formerly a flower farm‚ is the same place where her late great-granddaughter Zenani Mandela was buried in 2010 after being hit by a car.
Winnie, who succumbed on April 2, was born on September 26, 1936, Winnie was also known as Mama Winnie and ‘mother of the nation’.
She was married to the first black South African president Nelson Mandela for 38 years and during this time, Winnie fought against the white-majority rule and became involved in criminal scandals.
[caption caption="File image of ODM leader Raila Odinga and his wife Ida Odinga"]
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