Nairobi — October 16, 2025

From the first light of dawn, thousands of Kenyans poured into Nairobi’s Central Business District, waiting patiently to witness a moment that will be etched in the nation’s memory — the arrival of the body of former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga.

By 4 a.m., mourners were already streaming into the city, some clutching flowers, others waving flags or wearing T-shirts emblazoned with Raila’s portrait. By mid-morning, the streets leading to Parliament Buildings — from Harambee Avenue to City Hall Way — were thick with crowds.

The Kenya Airways plane carrying Raila’s body touched down at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) at 9:33 a.m., greeted by a ceremonial water salute. The airline had changed the flight’s call sign from KQ203 to RAO001, a symbolic gesture in honour of the man many Kenyans simply called Baba.

President William Ruto, retired President Uhuru Kenyatta, and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi led the official delegation receiving the casket, which was draped in the national flag and carried by a Kenya Defence Forces honour guard. From JKIA, the body was taken to Lee Funeral Home before beginning its final procession to Parliament Buildings.

A Nation’s Conscience Remembered

Along Parliament Road, emotions ran high. Some wept quietly. Others broke into song. Large screens set up by the government streamed the events live, ensuring that even those far from the city could take part in the farewell.

Inside the cordoned area near Parliament, military personnel and protocol officers arranged the reception space with meticulous precision. The public viewing is set to run from midday to 5 p.m.

Speaking to reporters, lawyer and political commentator Willis Otieno reflected on Raila’s lasting influence:

“Raila was beyond the presidency,” he said. “He became the symbol of Kenya’s conscience.”

The government declared Friday, October 17, a public holiday in Raila’s honour. Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen said the decision would allow Kenyans to “reflect on a life that shaped our democracy and challenged us to be better.”

Final Journey to Bondo

A State Funeral Service will take place at Nyayo Stadium on Friday, beginning at 8 a.m. President Ruto, former President Kenyatta, and several African heads of state are expected to attend. The ceremony will be followed by an overnight vigil at Raila’s Karen residence, where family, friends, and close allies will gather in prayer and remembrance.

On Saturday, Raila’s body will be flown to Kisumu, where thousands are expected to line the streets once more as the cortege proceeds to Moi Stadium for public viewing. The journey will then continue to Bondo, Siaya County, for burial on Sunday — beside his father, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, and his late son Fidel.

At 80, Raila Odinga leaves behind not just a political legacy but a deep emotional imprint on Kenya — a reminder of what one life, lived with conviction and courage, can mean to a nation.