Jaramogi

Jaramogi is a Luo title and honorific used in Kenya and among Luo-speaking communities in East Africa. It signifies respect for an elder or senior male leader who is seen as a guide or patron within a community. The term reflects Luo cultural norms of kinship and leadership and has been adopted in political and social contexts to recognize prominent figures.

The most well-known bearer of the title in modern history is Jaramogi Oginga Odinga (1911–1994), a central figure in Kenya’s political life from the colonial era through independence. Odinga served as Kenya’s first Vice President from 1964 to 1966 under President Jomo Kenyatta. After differences with the ruling leadership, he became a leading opposition figure and formed the Kenya People's Union (KPU) before facing government suppression. He remained an influential Luo and national voice, and his legacy continued through his son, Raila Odinga, a prominent Kenyan politician and former Prime Minister.

The influence of the name Jaramogi persists in Kenya through memorials and institutions named in his honor. Notable examples include the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST) in Bondo and the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Foundation, among others, which seek to preserve his memory and the political ideals associated with his era.

See also: Odinga family; Luo people; Kenyan politics.