Members of the South Sudan Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA) observed a moment of silence on Thursday in honor of the late former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga, who passed away on Wednesday in India at the age of 80.  

This tribute followed a request from Member of Parliament Bol Joseph Agau, who called for solidarity with Kenya and other East African Community states.

“South Sudan is a member of East Africa Community and by such, the region is aggrieved and we are bereaved as the people of South Sudan for the loss of iconic leader late Rt honourable Raila Amolo Odinga yesterday,” said Agau.

“I would request you [speaker] by permission that the house rises and give this honour to the Kenyan leader, regional leader, a pan-africanist and someone who has contributed for this republic to be realised today as republic of South Sudan,” He requested.

In March 2025, Kenya’s President William Ruto appointed Raila Odinga as a special envoy to South Sudan.

In this role, he visited Juba to help resolve political tensions after the house arrest of SPLM-IO leader Dr. Riek Machar, which followed the Nasir fighting between government forces and the White Army militia group, allegedly allied with Machar.

In May 2022, Odinga also urged South Sudanese leaders to unite and seek internal solutions to the challenges facing the country.

Second Deputy Speaker Parmena Awerial Aluong acknowledged Odinga’s significant efforts in the formation of the Republic of South Sudan and requested all members of parliament to stand and observe a moment of silence in his respect.

“He is one of the leaders who has worked for this nation to be republic of South Sudan,” said Aluong.