NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 17 — The military convoy carrying the body of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has arrived at Nyayo National Stadium, marking the start of the State Funeral ceremony to be led by President William Ruto.
The solemn convoy, which departed Parliament Buildings shortly after 9 am, wound its way through Uhuru Highway under heavy security escort.
Military police outriders, ceremonial guards, and a full military band led the procession as mourners lined the route, waving national flags, olive branches, and twigs in a final salute to the late opposition leader.
The military carriage, draped in the Kenyan flag, was flanked by Kenya Defence Forces officers, followed by an extended formation of military vehicles and ceremonial units.
At Parliament earlier, tight security was mounted by KDF and National Police Service officers as preparations for the final departure got underway.
Raila’s body was received by senior government officials, clergy, and family members before being placed in the main foyer for a brief lying-in-state ceremony.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki said the State Funeral would feature full military honours, a sermon by the Anglican Church of Kenya, tributes from the family, and messages of condolence from national and foreign leaders.
Security remains heightened around Nyayo Stadium following crowd control challenges at Kasarani Satdium during a public viewing on Thursday.
After the funeral service, the body will be returned to Lee Funeral Home and later taken to Raila’s Karen residence for an overnight vigil before departing for Kisumu on Saturday.
A sombre mood engulfed Parliament Buildings on Friday morning as President William Ruto arrived to view the body of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who lies in state.
The President, who arrived at around 8:15 a.m., appeared emotional as he paid his final respects to the late opposition leader.
Ruto was accompanied by First Lady Rachel Ruto.
Clad in dark attire, the president walked slowly toward the casket, bowing their heads in silence before moving to sign the condolence book. President Ruto spent several minutes penning his message of tribute.
Moments later, Raila’s sister, Ruth Odinga, and his children Raila Odinga Jr. and Winnie Odinga approached the casket.
Raila Odinga Junior pays tribute to his father as he lay in state in parliament.
Raila Jr. performed a short cultural ritual beside his father’s body, as the family stood in quiet reflection.
He carried the fly whisk above the father’s body.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, and Senate Speaker Amason Kingi were among the senior leaders who also paid their last respects.
Emotions ran high as mourners broke into song “Pamoja na wewe! Pamoja na wewe!” as cries and wails filled the air.
Some officials fought to hold back tears, while others wept openly
“It is still hard to believe Baba is gone,” said one mourner, visibly shaken. “He carried the hopes of so many Kenyans.”
The President was received at Parliament by Speaker Wetang’ula and his Senate counterpart Kingi before joining Chief Justice Martha Koome and several Members of Parliament in the viewing chamber.
The solemn ceremony comes ahead of the State Funeral scheduled for Saturday at Nyayo National Stadium from 9 a.m., where world leaders are expected to attend.
At Parliament, officers from the Kenya Defence Forces and the National Police Service formed a tight security ring around the building as preparations got underway.
Raila’s body, draped in the national flag, was received by senior government officials, clergy, and family members before being taken into the main foyer of Parliament for the brief lying-in-state ceremony.
The body of Raila Odinga lying in state in parliament.
Thousands of security personnel were deployed to ensure safety during the State Funeral of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga at Nyayo Stadium, Nairobi, on Friday.
Police said up to 10,000 officers had been mobilized and deployed in and around the stadium to maintain order.
Nairobi’s head of traffic operations, Joseph Chirchir, announced that roads near the stadium would be closed to enhance movement and security.
He advised motorists to use alternative routes from Bunyala Road to the city centre.
The personnel deployed included officers from the General Service Unit (GSU), the military, and other special units to ensure that only those arriving by 8 a.m. were allowed into the stadium.
The aircraft wheels touched down on the JKIA tarmac at precisely 9:33 am on Thursday morning, October 16, 2025.
Kenya Airways flight RAO001, a callsign changed mid-flight from KQ203 in honor of the man whose remains it carried, rolled along the runway as fire trucks sprayed ceremonial jets of water into the morning sky.
It was supposed to be a moment of solemn dignity, a carefully choreographed state reception for former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga, orchestrated down to the last military salute.
Instead, within minutes, it became one of the most spectacular security breaches in the history of Kenya’s main aviation gateway, forcing authorities to shut down the entire airport for two hours and abandon protocols that had taken days to plan.
What unfolded that morning was not merely a failure of security infrastructure but a testament to something far more profound and unpredictable: the raw, uncontainable grief of a nation losing one of its most towering political figures.
The breach exposed the fundamental tension between state ceremony and popular emotion, between military precision and human spontaneity, between what security planners anticipated and what actually transpired when thousands of mourners decided that no barrier, no cordon, no uniformed officer would stand between them and their final glimpse of the man they called Baba.
Security personnel had earlier set up tight security measures around the airport, but the sheer number of mourners overwhelmed the barriers, forcing authorities to abandon the planned military reception protocols.
The arrangements had been meticulous. The casket carrying Raila’s body, draped in the national flag, was to be placed on a wheeled military carrier for a formal state reception, with President William Ruto scheduled to officially receive it, accompanied by former President Uhuru Kenyatta, top government officials, and senior leaders of the ODM party .
But the planners had made a critical miscalculation.
They had prepared for mourners, yes, even anticipated large crowds.
What they had not prepared for was the sheer emotional intensity and determination of thousands who had woken before dawn, some traveling from as far as Kisumu and Mombasa, converging on JKIA with one singular purpose.
These were not passive observers content to watch from designated viewing areas.
Mourners gather to receive the body of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on October 16, 2025. Photo credit: PCS
These were supporters who had walked alongside Raila through decades of political struggle, who had been teargassed at his rallies, who had celebrated his victories and mourned his defeats, and who now refused to be kept at arm’s length during this final journey.
The first breach came at the main entrance. Images and videos showed hundreds of civilians, presumably mourners, making their way towards a handful of security personnel, with authorities at the JKIA entrance attempting to negotiate with the crowd, but attempts failing as the crowd forcefully gained access to the airport, chanting phrases like “Baba has arrived”.
It was not a violent surge but rather an unstoppable tide of human emotion.
Security officers found themselves not facing criminals or terrorists, scenarios for which they had trained, but grieving citizens whose determination was fueled by loss and love.
What happened next revealed the full extent of the security collapse.
Crowds of mourners and boda boda riders gained access to the State Pavilion, with efforts by joint security personnel of military and GSU to contain the crowd proving futile as hundreds pushed past the barricades while others scaled the perimeter wall, chanting Raila’s name and waving twigs .
The inclusion of boda boda riders added a particularly Kenyan dimension to the chaos.
These motorcycle taxi operators, many of them young men from Nairobi’s informal settlements who viewed Raila as their champion, did not simply breach on foot. The boda boda riders who gained access to the facility rode into restricted areas, further overwhelming the officers on duty .
The scene was surreal and unprecedented. Within minutes of the aircraft landing, the carefully planned military reception had disintegrated.
Chief of the Defence Forces Charles Muriu Kahariri, who was present at the JKIA, was caught in the crowd and had a brief interaction with civilians before eventually succumbing to the sheer numbers present at the airport .
When even the highest-ranking military officer in the country found himself swept up in the human wave, it became clear that this was not a security situation that could be managed through conventional means.
President William Ruto, who was scheduled to lead the reception of Raila’s body, was unable to do so as the crowds became unruly, with former President Uhuru Kenyatta and other dignitaries also not visible amid the commotion.
The symbolism was striking.
Here were the most powerful figures in Kenya, prepared to honor their political rival with full state ceremony, rendered helpless by the very citizens they governed.
Supporters surrounded Raila’s casket, leaving military personnel on the ground largely unable to control the situation, with efforts by Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo to calm the crowd unsuccessful as mourners continued to mill around the casket .
The consequences were immediate and severe.
The Kenya Airports Authority announced a temporary closure of the airspace over JKIA from 10:26 AM to 12:26 PM as a precautionary measure to ensure maximum safety and order during enhanced security rescreening operations.
This was extraordinary. JKIA, which handles an average of 20,000 passengers daily and serves as Kenya’s primary international gateway, had been effectively shut down.
Flights were delayed, passengers stranded, and the carefully synchronized rhythms of international aviation thrown into disarray.
Acting Managing Director and CEO of KAA Mohamud Gedi stated that the closure was to facilitate an enhanced security rescreening operation, emphasizing that the safety and security of passengers, staff, and all airport users was their highest priority.
The language was diplomatic, but the reality was stark: mourners had penetrated areas of the airport that should have been impregnable.
Restricted zones where only authorized personnel should tread had been flooded with ordinary citizens. The tarmac, runways, and State Pavilion, spaces governed by strict aviation security protocols, had become extensions of the public sphere.
The images that emerged from inside the airport told their own story.
Photos circulated on social media showing mourners not just on the tarmac but exploring various airport facilities.
Photos and videos showed some mourners taking advantage of the facilities available to them, with some even accessing airplanes to take photos.
The scenes were both touching and concerning, capturing the peculiarly Kenyan ability to find moments of levity even in grief, but also raising serious questions about aviation security.
International observers and aviation security experts were quick to note the implications.
Some expressed concern that the breach of security at JKIA could negatively impact the airport’s reputation, with possible international consequences, noting that the airport’s security rating could be downgraded and some countries may refuse direct flights from JKIA.
This was not hyperbole.
Aviation security is governed by strict international standards, and any breach, regardless of its emotional context, triggers mandatory reviews and potential sanctions.
Yet amid the chaos, there was also something profoundly moving.
Despite the disruption, the atmosphere remained largely peaceful, with mourners singing Raila’s popular slogans “Jowie” as the casket was received.
This was not a riot or an act of malicious intent. It was grief made manifest, a collective outpouring that defied the neat boundaries security planners had tried to impose.
The mourners carried twigs and palm branches, symbols of peace in many African traditions, and chanted not threats but the name of the man they had come to honor.
The emotional intensity was captured in individual moments. Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir, a long-time ally and loyal supporter of the former Prime Minister, was visibly overwhelmed by emotion, sobbing uncontrollably as his bodyguard watched.
Here was a sitting governor, a man accustomed to public appearances and political theater, reduced to raw grief in the face of loss.
The security breach forced immediate revisions to the entire funeral program.
At Parliament Buildings, officials had to cancel a planned public viewing after they were overwhelmed by the crowd, prompting authorities to relocate the public viewing from Parliament to Kasarani Stadium . The cascading effects continued.
At Lee Funeral Home, security was also heightened after reports of a security breach, with officials canceling plans to hold the body there briefly and deciding to move it directly to Kasarani .
What the JKIA breach revealed was a fundamental disconnect between official expectations and popular sentiment.
Security planners had prepared for a state funeral, complete with military honors and diplomatic protocol.
What they got was something closer to a popular uprising, not of anger but of affection, not of violence but of an overwhelming desire to be present, to witness, to participate in this final farewell.
The route of the funeral procession itself had to be changed on the fly.
Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga told mourners at JKIA that the procession would use Mombasa Road instead of the Nairobi Expressway to allow Kenyans to pay their last respects, with hundreds of mourners escorting the body being carried on a gun carrier with the casket draped in a national flag.
This was pragmatism born of necessity.
If the crowds could not be contained at the airport, better to channel them along a route that acknowledged their presence rather than attempting the impossible task of keeping them away.
The incident also exposed darker undercurrents. Security was enhanced at both the Nairobi and Bondo homes of Raila Odinga after several mourners complained of being harassed and robbed by goons hiding among supporters, with police mounting roadblocks at the entrance to Odinga’s home.
In the chaos and emotion, opportunists had found cover, a reminder that even genuine grief can provide camouflage for those with less noble intentions.
By early afternoon, order had been restored. The Kenya Airports Authority confirmed that normal activities were back to normal, with the authority advising passengers with flights scheduled during the closure to contact their respective airlines for updated flight information.
The immediate crisis had passed, but the questions it raised lingered.
How had thousands of mourners so easily overwhelmed what should have been one of the most secure facilities in the country? Was this a failure of intelligence, of manpower, of planning, or of all three?
The answer, perhaps, is that it was none of these and all of these.
Security protocols are designed around rational actors making predictable choices. They account for terrorists seeking to cause harm, smugglers seeking to evade detection, unauthorized persons seeking illicit access.
They are not designed to handle thousands of people acting simultaneously on pure emotion, driven not by malice but by love and grief and the overwhelming human need to bear witness to significant moments.
In the days that followed, there would be official reviews, security assessments, and likely some quiet disciplinary actions.
But what cannot be measured in incident reports or security audits is the human dimension of what occurred at JKIA that Thursday morning.
In breaching those barriers, those mourners were making a statement, perhaps unconsciously, about ownership and participation in national moments.
They were asserting that Raila Odinga belonged not just to the state with its ceremonies and protocols, but to the people who had walked with him through decades of political struggle.
The former Prime Minister, who built his political career on challenging established order and championing the common person against entrenched power, might have appreciated the irony.
In death, as in life, his supporters refused to be managed, contained, or kept at a distance.
They breached barriers, overwhelmed security, and inserted themselves into the narrative, transforming a state occasion into a popular moment.
Whether this represents a failure of security planning or a success of popular participation depends on one’s perspective.
What is undeniable is that for two hours on that October morning, the carefully maintained boundaries between official and popular Kenya collapsed.
The result was chaos, yes, but also something authentically Kenyan in its spontaneity, its emotion, and its refusal to be contained by official protocols.
The mourners at JKIA did not just breach security. They breached the careful distance that modern states try to maintain between power and people, between official ceremony and popular feeling. In doing so, they provided one final tribute to a man who spent his life challenging exactly those kinds of boundaries.
For decades, it became one of Kenya’s most recognizable political gestures. Raila Odinga, addressing thousands at rallies from Uhuru Park to Kasarani, would pause mid-sentence, reach into his pocket, and produce a crisp white handkerchief.
With practiced ease, he would dab at the corners of his eyes, then resume speaking as if nothing had happened.
The handkerchief was never far from his grasp, a constant companion that became as much a part of his public persona as his trademark Vitenge shirts.
His detractors saw opportunity in the affliction. Opposition politicians would mockingly wipe imaginary tears during their own speeches, suggesting the former Prime Minister was perpetually emotional or performing for sympathy.
On social media, memes proliferated. But those who knew the truth understood that what flowed from Raila’s eyes was not sentiment but the physical manifestation of Kenya’s darkest political chapter.
The answer lay buried in the belly of Nyayo House, in those infamous basement chambers where the Moi regime warehoused its political prisoners.
Between 1982 and 1988, Raila disappeared into that concrete hell, detained without trial after being implicated in the failed coup attempt.
What happened in those cells would mark him permanently, etching itself onto his very physiology.
Ahmed Hashi, a confidant of many years, recalled the day Raila finally explained the condition. During a routine meeting, Hashi noticed the constant dabbing and offered a fresh handkerchief.
Later, in a moment of candor, Raila revealed what seven years of detention had cost him.
The torture chambers, deliberately kept in perpetual darkness, had deprived his body of essential sunlight.
His lacrimal glands and ducts, the delicate machinery responsible for tear production and drainage, had sustained irreversible damage.
The normal communication between brain and eye had been severed. Now his tears flowed involuntarily, uncontrolled, a permanent reminder of suffering that could not be undone.
When Raila stood at Kasarani Stadium in 2021 to accept the Azimio presidential nomination, he finally told Kenyans what that handkerchief represented.
“The tears from the torture chambers are still running, as you can tell from the handkerchief that never leaves my hand,” he declared. It was not a plea for sympathy but a simple statement of fact.
Medical science explains that tears normally flow on command, when the brain detects irritation or emotion.
The lacrimal glands produce moisture, which travels through ducts to cleanse and protect the eye. But damage those glands, disrupt those ducts, and the system fails.
The tears come unbidden, streaming down without purpose or control.
For Raila, every public appearance became a dual performance.
He had to deliver his message while managing a body that would not cooperate, eyes that wept without his permission.
The handkerchief became his tool of defiance, proof that torture had marked but not broken him.
In a cruel irony, the condition that critics mocked actually burnished his credentials among supporters.
Here was physical evidence of sacrifice, a wound worn openly that testified to his commitment. Other politicians spoke of their struggles. Raila’s body bore permanent witness to his.
His supporters had long believed that decades of exposure to teargas at demonstrations had damaged his eyes.
It was a reasonable assumption for a man who had led countless protests, often standing at the front when police canisters flew.
But the truth ran deeper and darker than that.
Now, as Kenya mourns the passing of one of its most consequential political figures, that white handkerchief has taken on new meaning.
What was once a symbol of physical affliction has become a relic of national significance, a tangible connection to an era when speaking truth carried unimaginable cost.
The tears that once flowed from damaged ducts, products of deliberate cruelty in underground chambers, have been replaced by genuine tears of grief.
Across the country, Kenyans weep for a man whose own involuntary tears told a story of sacrifice that words alone could never capture.
The handkerchief that never left his hand will be remembered not as a sign of weakness, but as a badge of resilience, proof that some scars run so deep they alter the body itself, yet still the spirit endures.
The body of the former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has been taken to Parliament ahead of the State Funeral scheduled to take place today, Friday, beginning 9 am at Nyayo Stadium.
Key dignitaries, including MPs and foreign delegations who did not have the opportunity to view his body, will have the chance to do so.
The body is expected to lie in State in line with protocols that dictate the final rite of a dignitary of Raila’s stature.
The High Court has dismissed an application seeking to stop the burial of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, with Justice Enock Chacha ruling that the petitioner failed to demonstrate sufficient urgency or evidence that burial arrangements contravene the deceased’s wishes.
Justice Chacha, in his ruling, stated: “Upon considering the pleadings, I am not satisfied on the urgency of this matter. The applicant has not demonstrated that the process is being undertaken contrary to the wishes of the deceased to enable this court to act on the request for conservatory orders.”
The application was filed by Michael Onyango Otieno, who identifies himself as a senior member of the Luo community. He has been directed to serve the respondents, with further directions scheduled for tomorrow.
Mr. Otieno seeks a declaration that burying the late Raila Odinga within 72 hours violates Article 44 of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010, which guarantees the right to freedom of religion, belief, and opinion, including the right to practice cultural customs.
“A declaration that the burial of the late Raila Amolo Odinga within 72 hours violates Article 44 of the Constitution, 2010,” the petition states.
The petitioner outlined Mr. Odinga’s background and cultural identity.
Born in 1945, Raila Odinga attended Kisumu Union Primary School, Maranda Primary, and Maranda High School before pursuing higher education in Germany.
He graduated with a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from the Technische Hochschule of Magdeburg in the German Democratic Republic in 1965.
According to the petition, the deceased was a committed adherent to Luo customs and traditions.
In 2020, he was crowned a Luo warrior in a ceremony conducted by the Luo Council of Elders in Bondo, Siaya County.
The petition notes that in 2023, Mr. Odinga endorsed the installation of Odungi Randa as chairman of the Luo Council of Elders in Kisumu.
“As such, he should be sent off with an amplitude that becomes part of his life and legacy as a Luo warrior,” Mr. Otieno argued.
The petitioner cited precedents involving other prominent Kenyan leaders, including former presidents Jomo Kenyatta and Mwai Kibaki, as well as the late Tom Mboya, all of whom received elaborate send-offs befitting their national stature.
“His alleged wishes to be buried within 72 hours of his death have not been corroborated by any witnesses. This scrambles the customary choreography of grief and undermines Article 44 of the Constitution,” the petition states.
Mr. Otieno contended that expedited burial arrangements contradict Luo customs and traditions, which the deceased reportedly valued and observed throughout his life.
“Luos in particular, and Kenyans in general’s long goodbyes—specifically the Christians’—are not mere extravagance. They are the public’s chance to translate private sorrow into civic meaning,” the petition concludes.
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The abrupt change of venue for the public viewing of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s body from Parliament Buildings to Kasarani Stadium was triggered by an urgent intelligence brief that flagged a looming security crisis, Kenya Insights has established.
Security agencies raised the alarm after thousands of emotional mourners began massing outside Parliament as early as 4am on Thursday, with their numbers swelling rapidly as the morning progressed.
The intelligence assessment painted a troubling picture of a situation spiraling beyond control, prompting the funeral steering committee to make the last-minute decision to relocate the viewing ceremony.
Sources privy to the deliberations revealed that while the mourners were largely peaceful in their conduct, the sheer volume of people converging on the parliamentary precinct set off alarm bells within the security establishment.
The situation became particularly concerning when intelligence officers factored in additional crowds streaming in from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, where Raila’s body had just arrived from India.
The breaking point came when security checks around Parliament painted an increasingly volatile picture. With President William Ruto expected to arrive at noon to receive the body and officially open the public viewing, security personnel realized they were staring at a potential catastrophe.
The convergence of massive crowds, heightened emotions, and the presence of the Head of State created what one source described as an unacceptable risk profile.
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula had earlier informed the House that everything was proceeding according to plan, with the President scheduled to receive Raila’s body at Parliament. However, events on the ground were moving faster than the official programme.
Members of the Kenya Defence Forces disperse the crowd after the arrival of the body of former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who had been receiving medical treatment in India when he died, in Nairobi, Kenya October 16, 2025. Photo credit: REUTERS
At the Senate gate, crowds were becoming increasingly difficult to manage, prompting Wetang’ula to personally step out in an attempt to calm the surging masses. His efforts proved futile.
The scenes outside Parliament were unprecedented. Mourners, many clutching twigs and white handkerchiefs in traditional gestures of mourning, had breached barriers at City Hall Way.
Some were seen climbing the gates of Parliament Buildings, desperate to secure their place among the first to view their departed leader.
Emma Achieng from Lakisama, who had arrived at 4am, captured the mood when she told reporters she would not leave until she confirmed Raila was indeed dead.
Security forces had deployed in force, with National Police Service officers, National Youth Service personnel, and special units creating a heavy presence around Parliament.
All roads leading to the complex were barricaded, and at the roundabout connecting City Hall Way to Parliament Road, police attempted to erect razor wire to block access.
Yet the crowds kept coming.
The intelligence brief was stark in its assessment.
With emotions already running high and numbers continuing to swell, security officials could not guarantee the safety of either the mourners or the President once Raila’s body arrived at Parliament.
The potential for a stampede, combined with the impossibility of conducting proper security screening for such massive crowds, left authorities with little choice.
Wetang’ula subsequently returned to the House to announce the change, citing insufficient space at Parliament Buildings to accommodate the expected crowds. It was a diplomatic way of communicating what the intelligence had made clear: Parliament was no longer a viable venue.
The decision came none too soon.
By 10:45am, police trucks that had been blocking Parliament Road were being driven away, leaving only ambulances for emergency cases.
Yet many mourners, like John Ochieng, refused to believe the venue had changed, suspecting a ploy to divert them while Raila’s body was quietly brought to Parliament.
The funeral committee, headed by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, ultimately made the call to shift to Kasarani Stadium, a venue with the capacity and open space to handle the massive turnout while maintaining security protocols.
The decision, while disappointing to many who had camped outside Parliament for hours, was driven by the stark reality that the nation’s legislative hub was simply not equipped to handle an outpouring of grief on such a monumental scale.
Hundreds of people gather on the streets to bid farewell to former Prime Minister and politician Raila Odinga, who passed away while receiving treatment at a hospital, on October 16, 2025, in Nairobi, Kenya. Photo credit: REUTERS
Thousands of mourners have gathered at Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi to view the body of former Prime Minister, Raila Odinga.
The viewing ceremony was led by President William Ruto, who arrived alongside Mama Ida Odinga and members of the Odinga family.
Before the public viewing, the late leader’s body was prepared inside the VIP Lounge holding room at the stadium. Embalming experts from Lee Funeral Home and pathologists were present during the exercise.
Initially, the process was to be conducted at Lee Funeral Home, but it was later done at Kasarani due to logistical reasons.
The body was also dressed in new attire and placed in a new coffin ahead of the ceremony.
After the preparations, prayers were held with family members and national leaders surrounding the body in solemn reflection.
President Ruto led the delegation in viewing the body, followed by Mama Ida Odinga, the Odinga children, and close relatives.
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi were among the dignitaries who paid their respects.
After the official viewing by national leaders and the family, members of the public began filing past the casket to pay their last respects to the man fondly remembered as Kenya’s opposition icon and statesman.
Earlier, security officers were forced to swing into action after a section of mourners turned unruly ahead of the late Raila’s body viewing ceremony.
Tension flared when some attendees began throwing twigs toward the VIP dais in protest over delays in allowing them to view the body. Some were also seen throwing the plastic seats to the officers.
The crowd, which had escorted the motorcade carrying the casket from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, became impatient after hours of waiting. Joint teams of General Service Unit (GSU) and anti-riot police swiftly responded, firing teargas canisters to restore order.
Plainclothes personnel from the Presidential Escort Unit also joined in and were seen beating up some individuals in the terraces as chaos erupted briefly.
At the time, President William Ruto, his deputy Kithure Kindiki, and other dignitaries were still in a holding room and had not taken their seats on the dais
The Kenya Airways aircraft carrying Raila’s body touched down at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) at exactly 9:30 am, where it was received by President Ruto, members of the Raila family, and a host of elected leaders.
A sombre mood filled the air as the casket draped in the national flag was lowered from the plane.
Following the arrival, the body was to be moved to Lee Funeral Home and then to Parliament.
Military officers and morticians who had initially been stationed at Lee and Parliament were seen packing up and leaving after the venue change was confirmed.
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta viewing Raila Odinga’s body at Kasarani Stadium
NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 16 – Chaotic scenes were witnessed at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, on Thursday afternoon as police lobbed teargas to disperse supporters of the late Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Leader Raila Odinga.
This is after they attempted to occupy seats reserved for dignitaries in the VIP section shortly after Odinga’s body arrived at the venue.
Before the start of the main event when hundreds of supporters pushed through barriers, insisting on sitting in the high-profile area.
Security officers swiftly moved in to restore order, forcibly ejecting the crowd from the terraces and the field.
The situation quickly turned chaotic as police officers battled to control the surging masses.
In the ensuing melee, no one was spared including journalists who were caught up in the scuffle and ordered out of restricted areas.
As Kenya mourns the death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, Luo elders on Thursday performed the sacred Tero Buru ceremony at his Opoda home in Siaya County, marking the community’s cultural farewell to their fallen son.
The ancient ritual, deeply rooted in Luo customs, involved elders leading a procession around the homestead while driving a bull, symbolizing the final journey of the departed leader and the cleansing of the home.
The ceremony drew hundreds of mourners from across Nyanza and beyond, all united in their grief and determination to honor Baba’s legacy according to the traditions of their forefathers.
The air was thick with emotion as the elders, dressed in traditional regalia and carrying fly whisks, symbols of authority and wisdom, moved deliberately through the compound.
Accompanied by traditional songs, chants, and drumming, the ceremony reflected respect, unity, and the community’s acknowledgment of Odinga’s legacy and status as a revered statesman.
For those unfamiliar with Luo customs, Tero Buru might seem like just another funeral rite. But to the Luo people, it represents something far more profound.
The phrase “Tero Buru” translates to “driving of the bull”, but its meaning goes far deeper than that; it symbolizes honour, respect, and farewell to the deceased.
Understanding this ritual is essential to grasping how the Luo community processes loss, particularly when it comes to their most revered leaders.
Tero Buru is both a mourning and cleansing ceremony, held to celebrate the life of the departed and to mark their final journey from the living world.
Traditionally, it is performed after the burial, sometimes on the same day or a few days later, depending on the family’s customs.
However, in Raila’s case, the elders performed it ahead of the arrival of his body from India, a testament to the magnitude of his stature and the need to spiritually prepare the homestead for his final return.
The ceremony is not merely symbolic. According to Luo tradition, Tero Buru serves both as a cleansing and a send off rite, ensuring that the spirit of the deceased rests in peace while strengthening communal bonds among the living.
For a leader of Raila’s caliber, who spent decades fighting for democracy and the rights of all Kenyans, the ritual takes on even greater significance.
When a leader or respected elder dies, the ceremony takes on a larger, community-wide significance. It becomes a gathering of clans, neighbours, and well-wishers who come together to honour the deceased and to reinforce unity among the living.
This was evident at Opoda, where mourners from different ethnic communities stood shoulder to shoulder with their Luo brothers and sisters, all bound by the shared loss of a national icon.
Youngest daughter to the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, Winnie Odinga, hands her father’s white fedora hat to her mother, Mama Ida Odinga, inside the VVIP offices at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
The ritual itself follows a precise choreography passed down through generations. The ceremony begins with men leading a procession through villages or homesteads while driving cattle, especially a bull, around the area.
In Luo cosmology, the bull represents strength, leadership, and the spirit of the deceased. The act of driving it “tero” symbolizes sending off the spirit and cleansing the homestead of death.
As the bull was led around Raila’s expansive Opoda compound, mourners sang traditional dirges (sigalagala) and chants praising the deceased’s achievements. People beat drums, blew horns, and sometimes fired traditional weapons into the air to mark respect.
The songs echoed across the homestead, carried by the wind toward Lake Victoria, as if informing even the waters of the region’s greatest son’s departure.
What strikes many observers is that Tero Buru is not purely mournful.
The songs and dances are not purely sorrowful; they are also celebratory, honouring the person’s legacy, bravery, and contributions to society.
This was particularly evident at Opoda, where despite the tears streaming down faces, there was also pride in the recounting of Raila’s five presidential bids, his years in detention, and his unwavering commitment to multiparty democracy.
Members of the Luo Council of Elders, led by their Chairman Odungi Randa, called on the community members to unite and peacefully honour the legacy of the fallen political giant.
Speaking at a separate gathering at the Council’s offices at Ofafa Memorial Hall in Kisumu, Odungi was visibly overwhelmed by grief.
Odungi, who was a close ally of Raila, told journalists that he received the news of Raila’s death through a phone call.
His voice cracked as he recounted their relationship spanning decades. “I knew Raila when he was five years old. When Ofafa was being built, his father tasked me and Raila to be curing the Ofafa building (with water so that it doesn’t crack) then he was just a young child,” he said.
The elder urged Governors of the four Counties of Kisumu, Migori, Homabay, and Siaya to lead the call for unity and harmony among members of the Luo Community following Odinga’s death. His message was clear: in death as in life, Raila would want his people united.
The spiritual dimension of Tero Buru cannot be understated.
The ceremony helps the community emotionally and spiritually transition after the death. It’s believed that Tero Buru prevents misfortune or unrest caused by an unsettled spirit, ensuring that the deceased rests in peace and the living are protected.
For Raila, whose life was marked by struggle, sacrifice, and an unshakeable belief in justice, the ritual serves as a spiritual guarantee that his work on earth is complete and that his spirit can rest. It also provides comfort to millions of his supporters who saw in him not just a politician, but a father figure, hence the affectionate title “Baba.”
In the context of a fallen leader, such as a political figure or community elder, Tero Buru serves as a public expression of loss and respect. It unites people from across regions and clans, reaffirming shared identity and continuity of leadership.
At Opoda, this unity was palpable. Political leaders, ordinary citizens, youth, and elders all participated in the ritual, their differences momentarily forgotten in the face of collective grief.
The evolution of Tero Buru reflects the adaptability of Luo culture. Today, Tero Buru has evolved but still retains its cultural essence. It may be performed alongside modern funeral rites, blending traditional Luo customs with religious and state ceremonies.
This fusion was evident at Opoda, where Christian prayers were offered before and after the traditional rites, demonstrating how Luo culture accommodates modernity without abandoning its roots.
For national leaders, it is often attended by political figures, cultural groups, and citizens who join in honouring the departed with song, dance, and remembrance.
In Raila’s case, the ceremony attracted not just Luo elders but also leaders from across Kenya’s political spectrum, all recognizing that regardless of political differences, they were witnessing the passing of a generation.
As the sun set over Siaya on Thursday evening, the echoes of the Tero Buru ceremony continued to reverberate across the region.
The bull had been driven, the songs had been sung, the drums had been beaten. The homestead had been cleansed and prepared for the arrival of its most famous son.
In essence, “Tero Buru” is not just a ritual, it’s a symbol of respect, unity, and continuity in Luo culture.
When a leader dies, it becomes a profound cultural statement: a collective farewell to a pillar of the community and a celebration of life that binds the people through shared tradition and memory.
For Raila Amolo Odinga, the man who carried the hopes and dreams of millions, who never tired of fighting for what he believed was right, who endured detention, tear gas, and repeated electoral disappointment yet never gave up, Tero Buru was more than appropriate. It was necessary. It was his people’s way of saying: “Baba, we have honored you as our traditions demand. Your spirit can rest. Your work lives on in us.”
As Kenya prepares for a state funeral befitting the stature of this political giant, the Tero Buru ceremony at Opoda serves as a reminder that even in a modern nation state, ancient customs still hold profound meaning.
They connect us to our ancestors, bind us to our communities, and provide solace in times of unspeakable loss.
Jowi! The bull has been driven. The homestead awaits its son.
Siaya resident performing ‘Tero Buru rite at the home of Raila Odinga. SCREENGRAP.
NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 16 – The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) has announced a temporary closure of the airspace over Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) to allow for enhanced security operations following the arrival of the remains of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
According to KAA, the closure, which took effect from 10:26 AM to 12:26 PM, is a precautionary measure to ensure maximum safety and order during the special operation.
“This essential measure is to facilitate an enhanced security rescreening operation following the arrival of the remains of the late Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga, former Prime Minister of Kenya,” said Mohamud Gedi, the Acting Managing Director and CEO of KAA.
“The safety and security of our passengers, staff, and all airport users is our highest priority, and this action is part of our unwavering commitment to maintaining the highest security standards.”
The Authority urged passengers with scheduled flights during the closure window to contact their respective airlines for updated flight information and possible adjustments to their travel plans.
Gedi further expressed regret over the inconvenience caused, noting that the measure was necessary to uphold both national security and aviation safety.
The temporary suspension of air operations came as the country received the remains of the veteran opposition leader, whose passing has drawn national and global tributes.
Emotions continue to run high, with thousands of his supporters thronging the JKIA to receive his remains.
Security forces had a difficult time trying to control the crowds who breached security protocols and accessed the tarmac where the plane receiving Odinga’s remains had landed, a person considered as oner of the county’s foremost leaders.
Raila, aged 80, passed away on October 15, 2025, in Kochi, Kerala, India.
He had been in India for medical treatment and wellness therapies, including Ayurvedic care, when he collapsed during a morning walk.
He was taken to Devamatha Hospital, where medics attempted resuscitation but were ultimately unable to revive him.
Odinga’s health challenges in recent years included diabetes, hypertension, and chronic kidney disease, conditions he had been managing during his stay in India.
In life, he was a towering figure in Kenya’s political and civic arenas, a force for pluralism, a stalwart of opposition, and often a bridge across ideological divides.
NAIROBI, Kenya— The overwhelming outpouring of grief following the death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has forced authorities to relocate public viewing arrangements from Parliament Buildings to the larger Kasarani Stadium, as thousands of mourners continue to throng the city in unprecedented numbers.
The decision came after chaotic scenes unfolded both at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and Parliament on Thursday morning, with security personnel unable to contain the massive crowds determined to pay their last respects to the man affectionately known as “Baba.”
At JKIA, where Raila’s body arrived aboard a special Kenya Airways flight at 9:30 am from Mumbai, India, security was breached in dramatic fashion.
Thousands of mourners who had gathered outside the airport overwhelmed officers and stormed through the main entrance as the aircraft carrying the former premier’s remains approached.
The security detail deployed to maintain order could only watch in disbelief as the crowd surged forward, their collective grief overriding all protocols.
The scenes were replicated at Parliament Buildings later in the morning, where police had erected razor wire barriers along Parliament Road extending to City Hall Road in an attempt to manage the expected turnout.
But the preparations proved woefully inadequate. Within minutes of the gates opening, the crowds had overpowered officers, removing the barriers as they pushed forward, chanting the Luo phrase “Onge ng’at ma baba osenego”—“there is no one that Baba has killed”—while singing praises of the fallen leader.
Some mourners scaled the Parliament perimeter wall in their determination to view the body, creating what observers described as unprecedented scenes in Kenya’s history of state funerals.
The emotional intensity of the crowds reflected the profound impact Raila had on ordinary citizens across the country’s diverse communities.
Despite the chaos, the atmosphere remained largely peaceful, with the crowds united in grief rather than disorder.
Security officers worked to guide people where possible, conscious that any heavy-handed response could trigger a volatile situation.
The sheer numbers, however, made crowd control nearly impossible within the confines of Parliament Buildings.
The government has moved the public viewing of Raila Amolo Odinga’s body from parliament to Kasarani Stadium due to the massive crowds that have overwhelmed the convoy and security teams.
It was this reality that prompted the swift decision to move the public viewing to Kasarani Stadium, a venue with a capacity of 60,000 that can accommodate the masses seeking to bid farewell to the political giant.
Authorities are now coordinating with event organizers to ensure smooth flow management at the larger facility while maintaining the dignity befitting a state funeral.
Raila died on Wednesday morning in India, where he had been receiving treatment in recent weeks.
According to his family, he succumbed to cardiac arrest during a morning walk at the Ayurvedic Eye Hospital campus in Mumbai.
His body was flown back to Kenya on a flight designated RAO001, which received a historic water salute upon landing.
The unprecedented turnout for the public viewing underscores the national significance of Raila’s passing.
For decades, he shaped Kenya’s political landscape, fighting for democracy, social justice, and devolution.
His death has united Kenyans across political divides in mourning, with President William Ruto and former President Uhuru Kenyatta both present at JKIA to receive the body—a rare show of unity in the country’s often fractious political environment.
As preparations continue for the funeral, scheduled for Sunday in Bondo, Siaya County, authorities are bracing for what could be one of the largest gatherings in Kenya’s history.
The move to Kasarani Stadium acknowledges what many mourners have been saying since Thursday morning: that no ordinary venue could contain the love and respect Kenyans held for the man who, in life and death, remained larger than any institution.
There was chaos at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on Thursday morning after thousands of mourners broke through security barricades to witness the arrival of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s body.
The Kenya Airways aircraft, which had been assigned a special call sign RAO001 in honour of the late opposition leader, touched down at 9:30 a.m. amid emotional scenes.
Moments later, the crowd—chanting Raila’s name and waving ODM flags—forced its way through the VIP gates, overwhelming security officers stationed around the arrival area.
Police and military personnel rushed to contain the situation as mourners flooded the tarmac, briefly disrupting the official reception ceremony.
Members of the Kenya Defence Forces, police, and National Youth Service formed a tight security ring around the plane and the casket as tensions rose.
President William Ruto and former President Uhuru Kenyatta, who were at the airport to receive the remains, were temporarily escorted back to the VIP lounge as officers worked to restore order.
The planned tarmac ceremony was curtailed as the priority shifted to safely securing the casket and clearing the route for the funeral convoy.
Witnesses described a scene of raw emotion as mourners cried, waved flags, and sang liberation songs associated with Raila’s decades-long struggle for democracy. “Kenyans just wanted to see him one last time,” said one mourner who managed to enter the airport grounds.
Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga told mourners that the funeral procession would travel along Mombasa Road instead of the Nairobi Expressway to allow citizens to pay their final respects.
Authorities warned of heavy traffic along Mombasa Road and adjacent routes as the convoy made its way to Lee Funeral Home.
From there, Raila’s body will be moved to Parliament Buildings, where it will lie in state for three days before burial on Sunday at his Bondo home.
Police have mounted tight security along all routes connected to the state funeral programme.
Raila Odinga, who died in India on Wednesday after suffering a cardiac arrest, is being accorded full state honours in recognition of his lifetime commitment to democracy, reform, and national unity.
The extraordinary scenes at JKIA underscored the depth of emotion sweeping across the nation—a testament to a man whose political journey shaped Kenya’s modern history.
Body of Raila lowered from Kenya Airways’ RAO 001 plane at JKIA.
NAIROBI, Kenya — In a move that has ignited fresh debate over digital rights and freedom of expression, President William Ruto on Wednesday signed the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes (Amendment) Bill, 2024 into law, granting the government sweeping powers to delete online content and shut down digital platforms.
The assent came on October 15, 2025, the same day the nation mourned the death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, with the timing raising eyebrows among civil society groups and digital rights activists who claim the government deliberately chose a moment of national grief to push through controversial legislation.
The new law fundamentally alters the digital landscape for Kenya’s 50 million internet users, allowing authorities to seek court orders for pre-emptive shutdowns of online platforms believed to be facilitating criminal activity, even before any actual harm occurs.
At the heart of the legislation lies Section 46A, a provision that grants courts unprecedented authority to order the deletion of content from digital devices, websites, and computer systems.
The law empowers investigators to move swiftly against platforms hosting what they deem illegal content, including material related to child pornography, terrorism, and what the bill describes as “extreme religious or cultic practices.”
“Where an authorised person believes that a computer system, website, or digital device is being used to promote illegal activities, child pornography, terrorism, or extreme religious and cultic practices, the authorised person may apply to court for an order for the removal of the content,” the law states.
This represents a significant departure from previous legislation, as investigators no longer need to wait for harm to materialize before taking action.
They can now approach the courts to block content before it spreads or goes viral, a power that critics warn could be weaponized against legitimate political dissent and journalism.
During parliamentary debate on the bill, Dagoretti South MP John Kiarie, who chairs the Departmental Committee on Information, Communication and Innovation, defended the amendments as necessary to combat rising cybercrime.
He pointed to alarming statistics showing that Kenyans spend an average of four hours and twelve minutes online daily, making the country vulnerable to phishing attacks, fake news, cyberbullying, and AI-generated disinformation.
“What we are observing is that phishing is becoming the order of the day. We seek to avert these increasing incidences of phishing, which can be executed by use of hyperlinks, stealing identities, money, and private information,” Kiarie told the House.
He added that with more than eight out of every ten posts likely to be fake or toxic, the country needed to fortify its digital laws.
His colleague from Dagoretti North, Beatrice Elachi, argued that the changes would help Kenya respond to mounting international pressure, particularly from the European Union, which has criticized the country for failing to adequately police digital child abuse.
Elachi warned that young Kenyans seeking educational opportunities abroad could find their prospects damaged by harmful digital footprints, making the legislation a matter of protecting the country’s youth.
The law also expands Kenya’s legal framework on identity theft, now explicitly including passwords and criminalizing digital impersonation, data harvesting, and phishing.
Anyone who willfully causes unauthorized alteration and unlawfully takes ownership of another person’s SIM card with intent to commit an offense will face imprisonment for up to two years, a fine not exceeding Sh200,000, or both.
However, not all lawmakers celebrated the passage of the bill. Funyula MP Wilberforce Oundo issued a stark warning during debate, cautioning that the inclusion of terrorism as grounds for content removal could be abused by authorities to target legitimate political activity.
“We already have an Anti-Terrorism Act. Introducing terrorism here is making a rope, and it will hang us very soon,” Oundo said, adding that even citizens sharing photos of protests could be unfairly targeted under the broad provisions.
“It might look harmless, but to be honest, it has far-reaching repercussions, and we will regret it as a country not long from now,” he cautioned.
The warning appears prescient given Kenya’s recent history of government crackdowns on protest movements and critical online voices.
Digital rights groups have consistently raised concerns about the use of cybercrime legislation to silence dissent, with several activists and bloggers facing charges under existing laws for content critical of the government.
On the other side of the debate, Tigania West MP John Mutunga argued that the law would protect the dignity of Members of Parliament, executives, and ordinary citizens who face routine attacks on social media.
He described the amendment as providing a necessary cushion against the toxicity of online discourse.
Eldas MP Adan Keynan went further, characterizing the law as a safeguard rather than censorship, designed to protect Kenya’s sovereignty, security, and social fabric.
He urged young people to view the legislation as protection rather than restriction.
“This is not punitive. It is guidance. Follow procedure, respect due process, and do not be abusive,” Keynan said.
The Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes (Amendment) Bill, 2024 was one of several pieces of legislation signed by President Ruto on Wednesday. Others included the Privatisation Bill, 2025, the Wildlife Conservation and Management (Amendment) Bill, 2023, the National Police Service Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2024, the Air Passenger Service Charge (Amendment) Bill, 2025, the Virtual Asset Service Providers Bill, 2025, the National Land Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2023, and the Land (Amendment) Bill, 2024.
As Kenya grapples with the implications of this new legal regime, questions remain about how authorities will balance legitimate law enforcement concerns with constitutional protections for freedom of expression and media freedom.
Civil society organizations have already indicated they are studying the law for potential constitutional challenges, setting the stage for what could be a protracted legal battle over the future of Kenya’s digital space.
For now, Kenyans will need to navigate a new reality where the content they create, share, and consume online exists under the shadow of government scrutiny and potential deletion, marking a significant shift in the country’s digital rights landscape.
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Nairobi, Kenya – The Orange Democratic Movement has appointed Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga as acting party leader following the sudden death of his younger brother, Raila Odinga, the party’s founder and longtime opposition stalwart.
The appointment was announced early Thursday morning after an emergency meeting of ODM’s National Executive Committee.
The decision comes as the nation prepares for the arrival of Raila Odinga’s body at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport at 9:30 a.m., where it is expected to be received by family, party officials, and dignitaries.
Raila Odinga, 80, died of a heart attack on Wednesday, October 15, while undergoing medical treatment in Koothattukulam, Kerala, India.
He reportedly collapsed during a morning walk, according to hospital officials at Devamatha Hospital.
The veteran politician, who served as Kenya’s Prime Minister from 2008 to 2013 and ran for president five times, was a towering figure in African politics, known for his relentless advocacy for democracy and reform.
President William Ruto, a former political rival, described him as “truly a once-in-a-generation leader” in a statement mourning his passing.
Oburu Odinga, 82, a seasoned politician and economist who has represented Siaya County in the Senate since 2013, was unanimously endorsed by the NEC to step in as interim leader.
The appointment is temporary, pending a final decision by the party’s top organs, as ODM navigates the emotional and political vacuum left by Raila’s death.
“The National Executive Committee has this morning met and unanimously endorsed the designation of the Senator of Siaya County, Dr Oburu Oginga, as the Acting Party Leader. This appointment takes effect immediately,” read an official ODM statement.
Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir, speaking after the NEC meeting, confirmed the decision and announced that condolence books have been opened in all ODM offices nationwide for the public to pay tribute to Raila. Kileleshwa MCA Robert Alai, an ODM member, echoed the announcement on social media, urging party supporters to ignore misinformation and rally behind the new interim leadership.
The Odinga family, long synonymous with Kenyan opposition politics stemming from their father, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, Kenya’s first vice president, now faces the challenge of preserving Raila’s legacy.
Oburu, who has served in various roles including as a nominated MP and assistant minister, is seen as a stabilizing force due to his close ties to Raila and deep roots in the party.
Analysts suggest this interim role will help ODM maintain cohesion as it contemplates a permanent successor, amid speculation about potential internal contests.
Reactions to the appointment have been largely supportive within ODM circles, with members expressing resolve to honor Raila’s vision of justice and equality.
However, the party’s future remains uncertain, as Raila’s charismatic leadership was central to its identity and electoral success.
As Kenya mourns a political icon, attention turns to how ODM will evolve under new stewardship in a rapidly changing political landscape.
The Kenya Airways flight carrying the body of former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga from Mumbai to Nairobi became the most tracked plane in the world on Thursday as millions of people across the globe followed its solemn journey home in real time.
According to live air traffic monitoring service Flightradar24, flight KQ203, a Boeing 737-800, topped the global tracking charts with more than 10,800 people watching its progress from takeoff to descent.
The aircraft departed Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport at 6:23 a.m. Kenyan time and is expected to touch down at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport at 9:30 a.m.
Kenya Airways announced that the flight’s call sign would change from KQ203 to RAO001 once it entered Kenyan airspace, a symbolic gesture to honour the late Raila Odinga whose initials, RAO, have long been synonymous with Kenya’s struggle for democracy.
“This is a gesture of national respect and recognition of a man whose journey inspired generations,” the airline said in a statement.
From Nairobi to Kisumu, and across cities like London, Johannesburg and Washington, thousands logged onto tracking apps to monitor the plane’s progress across the Arabian Sea.
For many, the moving dot on their screens represented more than a flight; it marked the return of a national hero whose political career shaped Kenya’s modern history.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, who led the government delegation to India, confirmed that all arrangements for the repatriation of Raila’s body had been completed.
“We have secured his body and preparations are complete for his return home,” Mudavadi said on X.
“The aircraft carrying the body of this great son of Kenya is scheduled to land at JKIA at 9:30 a.m., where he will be received by President William Ruto and the nation he so dearly loved.”
Upon arrival, the plane will be received by President Ruto, members of the Odinga family and senior government officials.
The casket, draped in the Kenyan flag, will then be taken to Lee Funeral Home before being moved to Parliament Buildings for public viewing.
Members of the public will be allowed to pay their last respects between noon and 5 p.m., while giant screens will be set up in major towns to allow Kenyans across the country to follow the proceedings.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen announced through a Gazette Notice that Friday, October 17, will be observed as a public holiday in honour of the former Prime Minister.
The decision, he said, was to give the nation a moment to collectively reflect on the life and legacy of Raila Odinga.
“Friday, the 17th October 2025, shall be a public holiday in honour of the departed former Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga,” read part of the notice.
A State Funeral Service will be held at Nyayo Stadium on Friday morning, after which the body will be flown to Kisumu on Saturday and then transported to his Bondo home in Siaya County for burial on Sunday.
This will be in accordance with Raila’s wishes that he be laid to rest within seventy-two hours of his death.
Raila Odinga, 80, died on Wednesday morning at Devamatha Hospital in Kochi, India, after suffering a cardiac arrest.
He had travelled to India for specialised treatment but passed away hours after admission.
His death has plunged the country into deep mourning, prompting President Ruto to declare seven days of national mourning and order flags to fly at half-mast.
As the Kenya Airways plane bearing the special call sign RAO001 descends into Nairobi, it carries not only the remains of a statesman but also the grief, admiration and gratitude of a nation bidding farewell to one of its most enduring leaders.
More than 10,000 people are currently tracking Kenya Airways flight KQ302, making it the most followed flight on popular flight tracking app Flightradar24. The plane is carrying the body of Raila Odinga from Mumbai, India, to Nairobi, Kenya.
