Ida Odinga (wife to Raila Odinga), during a candid interview, broke down emotionally as she tried to put to words the pain she went through when her son, Fidel Odinga, died on January 4, 2015.
Unknown to most, it was one of her closest friends (Patricia Radull) who came it at the crucial time and helped her cope with the devastating loss.
"My world came to an end, at that point I think I just went blank. I couldn't believe it. I sat there the whole day hoping Fidel would wake up.
"One of the people I have shared with is my very good friend Patricia Radul Patricia Radull, she's the mother to Carol Radull. When my children were growing up back when he (Raila) was in detention, I used to live with her son George, who died aged just 15. Looking at Patricia who has lost two children, I get some strength. She takes me through this," she recalled.
Patricia had not lost just one but two of her children and she used her personal experience to guide Ida through her darkest days.
"I used to ask her, how do you cope with this thing and she used to take me through step by step, using her own experience.
"There's nothing as bad and as painful as watching your child die. I can't compare it to anything else," Ida narrated.
She further explained how hard it was for the rest of their children to deal with the heartbreaking news, as they all looked up to Fidel .
However, thanks mostly due to the timely help of her close confidant Patricia, Ida was gradually able to process the ordeal and she has learned to focus on the positives, the Key one being Fidel's son Allay Raila Odinga
"When I look at Fidel’s son Allay I get a lot of hope. When he comes here, I know he has arrived because he comes in screaming nyanya nyanya! He looks exactly like Fidel used to at that age," she narrated with a gleeful smile.
On his part, Raila stated that the news of his son's death hit him like a thunderbolt, but that his close friends and family helped him to deal with the heavy burden.
"We were overwhelmed by the demonstration of compassion and friendship that surpassed our imagination. It made the load much easier to bear," he revealed.
