KISUMU — The body of former Prime Minister Raila Amollo Odinga will be flown from Kisumu to his ancestral home in Bondo, Siaya County, this evening for a night vigil before his burial on Sunday.
Interior Principal Secretary Dr Raymond Omollo confirmed the change of plan, saying the body will no longer be transported by road as earlier expected. Instead, it will be airlifted directly from Kisumu’s Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium to Bondo “for logistical and security reasons.”
“The body of the former Prime Minister will be flown directly to Bondo. We want to make sure the transition from Kisumu to his home is done smoothly and respectfully,” Dr Omollo said on Saturday.
The adjustment, he added, followed consultations between the National Funeral Steering Committee and the Odinga family to ensure the late opposition leader’s send-off remains dignified and well-coordinated.
Public viewing of Raila’s body at the Mamboleo Stadium was scheduled to end at 3 p.m., but authorities hinted that viewing hours might be extended to allow more mourners to pay their last respects.
“We are looking at the possibility of extending the viewing hours to ensure all mourners get a chance,” Omollo said. “We want to assure Kenyans that no one will be left out.”
He urged mourners to remain calm and peaceful throughout the final stages of the national farewell, describing Raila as a leader who valued unity above all else.
“Raila cherished peace and unity. As Kenyans, it is our duty to honour his legacy by ensuring peace throughout the mourning period, both here in Kisumu and in Bondo,” Omollo said.
The PS also reassured supporters that the government was committed to maintaining order and safety during the transition. “The former Premier left us in the hands of President Ruto. You’re safe there, and we should continue working with the government,” he added.
According to Dr Omollo, Raila’s body will be received at his Opoda home in Bondo for an overnight vigil before Sunday’s private burial at Kang’o Ka Jaramogi.
Only close family members and selected dignitaries are expected to attend the burial ceremony, but thousands of mourners will follow the event live from Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University, where large screens are being set up.
Security has been tightened across Kisumu and Siaya counties, with the Kenya Defence Forces and National Police Service coordinating movement and crowd control.
Dr Omollo acknowledged the massive turnout of mourners since Raila’s arrival in Kisumu, calling it “a moment unlike any other in Kenya’s history.”
“We have to agree that in the history of this country, there has never been a farewell of this magnitude,” he said. “This is Raila’s send-off, and it shows the impact he had on generations of Kenyans.”
The night vigil in Bondo is expected to draw political leaders, clergy, and citizens from across East Africa, marking the final chapter in the life of a man who shaped Kenya’s democracy and inspired millions.