Raila picks single mothers for praise as he celebrates Mother’s Day

Today, May 9, the world is celebrating Mother's Day. This is a day to honour motherhood by showing appreciation to mothers and mother figures in our lives.

ODM leader Raila Odinga has taken to Facebook to celebrate his mother noting that she passed away while he was in detention and took moments to specifically honour all single mothers.

" My mother passed away while I was in detention. I was formally informed about it two months after her demise. My mother like the millions of others was special and unique. Just like Mother Earth, they make the world a better place; they love us unconditionally, and oh man they can multi-task. It’s Mother’s Day. I single out single mums today. Happy Mother’s Day! " The post read.

The origin of Mother’s Day can be traced from the 20^th century, in the United States by the efforts of Anna Jarvis. Anna did the commemoration in honour of her departed mother.

Versions of celebrating vary with different countries and traditions. In Thailand for instance, the day comes in August.

In the 21st Century, Mother's Day has been an inclusive holiday with artists composing songs to praise their mothers and honour their efforts.

From Bahati's hit song 'MAMA' to Jamaica's Chris Martin to US HipHop veteran Tupac in his hit song 'DEAR MAMA'

In the US and most parts of the world, the day is commemorated by presenting gifts, flowers and tokens of appreciation to mothers.

In 1968, women like Coretta Scott King, wife to Martin Luther King go down in history for hosting a march in support of underprivileged women and children.