Live blog: President Ruto leads Kenyans in viewing body of the late Raila Odinga
President William Ruto and former President Uhuru Kenyatta join the family of the late Prime Minister Raila Odinga at the Kasarani Stadium in viewing the body of the ODM leader, which now lies in state.
The Kenya Airways flight carrying the remains of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga touched down at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) at 9:30 am and received a dignified water cannon salute.
The Kenya Airways Boeing 787 Dreamliner departed from Mumbai earlier this morning and was assigned a special code RAO001 in honour of the late former PM.
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The body of Raila Oding being removed from the KQ flight. (PCS)
At JKIA, the body was received by President William Ruto, former President Uhuru Kenyatta, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, and senior military officials. Security was heightened in and around the airport as Kenyans streamed in to receive the body.
The return of Raila’s body caps days of national mourning and tributes celebrating his five-decade contribution to Kenya’s political life, from his time in detention and opposition politics to his years in government as Cabinet minister and Prime Minister.
Live: Updates
The State Funeral Committee has announced an extension of the public viewing of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s body following the State funeral scheduled for Friday.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki said the viewing will begin at around 12 noon and continue for as long as necessary to allow as many mourners as possible to pay their last respects.
Grave digging has begun at Raila Odinga’s ancestral home in Kang’o Ka Jaramogi, Bondo, ahead of his burial. The former Prime Minister will be laid to rest beside his father, the late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga.
The late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga will be laid to rest on the right side of his father, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, at the family mausoleum in Bondo, Siaya County, his family has confirmed.
The remains of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga have left Kasarani Stadium and are being transported to Lee Funeral Home, where they will rest overnight ahead of tomorrow’s events.
The solemn departure marks the end of an emotional day in which thousands of Kenyans gathered at the stadium to pay their final respects to the late statesman.
Following the passing of Gor Mahia's Patron, Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga, the club's executive committee, has appointed Deputy Patron Eliud Owalo as Acting Patron to ensure continuity.
Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga discloses that former Prime Minister Raila Odinga will be laid to rest next to his parents in a private family ceremony on Sunday.
Oburu said only close relatives will attend the intimate burial, which will follow an official ceremony honouring Raila’s legacy as a “dignified son of the land.”
Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga. (Photo: Handout)The planned public viewing of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s body in Kisumu has been relocated from Moi Stadium to Jomo Kenyatta Stadium in Mamboleo, as security teams prepare for thousands of mourners expected to attend.
Thousands of mourners who have thronged the Kasarani Stadium finally get the chance to view the body of the former Prime Minister Raila Odinga as he lies in state at Kasarani Stadium.
The crowds have started lining up at Kasarani Stadium after President William Ruto led the family of the ODM leader and other dignitaries in viewing the body of the former PM.
President William Ruto and former President Uhuru Kenyatta join the family of the late Prime Minister Raila Odinga at the Kasarani Stadium in viewing the body of the ODM leader, which now lies in state after short prayers by the Kenya Defence Forces Chaplain.
Oburu addresses the media and mourners outside the Opoda homestead in Bondo, trying to explain the short burial period of the former Prime Minister, saying that they had to honour the wishes of the former Prime Minister.
The Siaya Senator also insisted that they had not lied to Kenyans about Raila's health, insisting the former PM was okay until he collapsed and suffered a cardiac arrest while appealing for calm to give their leader a decent send-off.
Meanwhile, in Bondo, Siaya County, Raila Odinga's elder brother Oburu Odinga arrives at the family's Opoda Farm to a sea of mourners who had already gathered at the homestead.
Oburu officially informed the clan elders of Raila's passing and appealed for calm.
The Kasarani stadium pitch has quickly been cleared after police lobbed teargas to disperse the surging crowds.
NYS officers form a ring at the Kasarani Stadium pitch around what appears to be a person who has been shot.
Chaos erupts as police lob teargas to disperse surging crowds at the Kasarani Stadium.
The casket bearing the remains of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga arrives at the fully-packed Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani in Nairobi.
Supporters of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga have filled the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, as they wait for the arrival of the body for viewing.
President William Ruto arrives at Kasarani Stadium, where the public viewing of Raila Oding'a's body will take place. Massive crowds have gathered at the stadium as they wait to view the body of the falled Opposition leader.
Some mourners in Nairobi are holding Raila Odinga’s book and placards as they pay tribute to the former Prime Minister. They are celebrating his lifelong fight for democracy and justice.
Some mourners in Nairobi are holding Raila Odinga’s book and placards as they pay tribute to the former Prime Minister.KCAA announces the resumption of normal operations at JKIA after a 2-hour temporary closure. This was after mourners breached restricted areas to view Raila’s body.
Travellers who had flights affected have been advised to reach out to their airlines for updated schedules and necessary arrangements.
In a statement, KAA expressed gratitude to passengers, airline staff, and the public for their cooperation during the short disruption.
“We remain committed to maintaining safe, secure, and efficient airport operations at JKIA,” said Dr Mohamud Gedi, Acting Managing Director and CEO of KAA.
Mombasa residents take to the streets to celebrate the former Prime Minister Raila Odinga. They are now walking from the CBD to Bangladesh area.
Thousands of Raila Odinga supporters on Mombasa Road escorting his body from JKIA.
Thousands of Raila Odinga supporters on Mombasa Road escorting his body from JKIA. (Handout)Senator Oburu Odinga leaves Nairobi for Bondo, where he is expected to officially break the news of Raila's death to the family, according to Luo culture.
Luo elders were also seen carrying out the traditional ‘Tero Buru’ ceremony at Raila Odinga’s Opoda home in Siaya, honouring the late former Prime Minister.
The ritual involved a bull procession, symbolising the leader’s final journey and cleansing of the homestead. It reflects the community’s cultural farewell and respect for Raila’s legacy.
President William Ruto, Senator Oburu Odinga and Ida Odinga at JKIA. (PCS)Some of the mourners start streaming in at Kasarani Stadium for the public viewing of Raila Odinga's body. The security has been beefed up at the venue.
Some of the mourners march on Muranga Road as they head to Kasarani Stadium, where public viewing of Raila Odinga’s body will take place. The body is still on Mombasa Road.
Mourners on Muranga road heading to Kasarani Stadium where public viewing of Raila Odinga’s body will take place. (Amina Wako)
Raila's supporters march along Kenyatta Avenue as they head to Kasarani Stadium after the public viewing of Raila Odinga's body was moved there following a security breach at Parliament.
The public viewing of Raila Odinga’s body moved to Kasarani Stadium after mourners tried to breach parliament to pay their last tribute to the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
The National Committee had initially planned to have the event take place at Parliament Buildings, but Raila Odinga's supporters tried to scale the perimeter wall.
Crowds breach the perimeter wall at the Parliament buildings, where the body of Raila Odinga was expected to be placed for public viewing. Speaker Moses Wetang'ula, his deputy Gladys Shollei and Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo were forced to intervene to calm the crowd.
All barricades around Parliament buildings were removed after crowds breached the perimeter wall. Some of Raila Odinga’s supporters who had earlier gone to JKIA have returned to Parliament and overpowered security.
Raila Odinga's supporters heading to Parliament. (Justine Ondieki)
Raila Odinga's supporters heading to Parliament. (Justine Ondieki)JKIA operations temporarily suspended after mourners breached restricted areas during the arrival of the late Raila Odinga’s remains, Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) confirms.
The procession of the body of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga leave JKIA, through Mombasa Road, as they head to Lee Funeral Home. The supporters are accompanying the body. Other supporters had lined up on Haile Selassie Avenue to receive the body. Others gathered at the Cabanas/Utawala interchange waiting to pay their last respects to the late Raila Odinga.
Raila supporters at JKIA following the arrival of his body. (PCS)Crowds of mourners cause commotion at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) as hundreds push past security barriers to witness the arrival of Raila Odinga’s body.
Security personnel were briefly overwhelmed when the crowd forced its way through the VIP gates moments after the aircraft touched down. The situation prompted a swift response from the military, police, and National Youth Service officers, who quickly formed a protective ring around the plane and the casket.
President William Ruto, Former President Uhuru Kenyatta and other top State officials were forced to return to the VIP room at the airport as the military carriage carrying the remains of the former ODM Party attempted to leave JKIA.
The body of Raila Odinga being received at JKIA. (KQ))
A massive crowd at JKIA surrounded the plane that was carrying Raila Odinga's body. (PCS)
Raila Odinga's daughter, Winnie, hands back her departed father’s hat to her mother, Ida Odinga. (PCS)Ministry of Health deploys 36 ambulances for emergency medical services as part of preparations for the funeral arrangements of Raila Odinga.
In a statement released on Thursday, the Principal Secretary for Medical Services, Dr Ouma Oluga, said each ambulance is fully equipped with both Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Life Support (ALS) systems and is staffed by a trained paramedic, nurse, and driver to ensure swift on-site emergency response and safe patient transport where necessary.
A massive crowd at JKIA to receive Raila Odinga's body. (PCS)The flight carrying the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga touched down at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport at 9.36 am on Thursday, where it was received with a solemn water salute in his honour.
A water salute (also known as a water cannon salute) is a ceremonial gesture typically performed to honour or celebrate an important event, milestone, or individual, most commonly in aviation and maritime contexts. It is a symbolic act of respect and celebration that has become a longstanding tradition in both industries.
In aviation, a water salute involves two or more fire trucks lining up on either side of an aircraft and spraying arcs of water over the plane as it passes through, creating a symbolic “tunnel.” This beautiful display is often used to mark a pilot’s retirement or final flight, welcome a new airline, aircraft type, or inaugural route, or honour a special dignitary or occasion.
The flight carrying the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga touched down at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport at 9.38 am on Thursday.
A massive crowd at JKIA surrounded the plane that was carrying Raila Odinga's body. (PCS)Anti-riot police deployed at JKIA as Kenyans wait for the arrival of Raila Odinga's body. The flight carrying his remains is expected to touch down anytime from now.
The road leading to the Lee Funeral Home, where Raila's body is expected to be brought, has been temporarily closed, with motorists directed to use alternative routes.
The road leading to the Lee Funeral Home, where Raila's body is expected to be brought, has been temporarily closed, with motorists directed to use alternative routes.The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) names Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga as the acting Party Leader following the death of Raila, pending the election of a new substantive leader.
Speaking during a briefing at JKIA, Nairobi, Mombasa Governor Abdullswamad Sherrif Nassir announced that the ODM National Executive Council (NEC) had resolved to appoint Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga to act as Party Leader until the party’s top organs meet to elect Raila’s successor.
Senator Oburu Odinga to take over the leadership of ODM until the party’s top organs meet to elect Raila’s successor. (PCS)
President William Ruto (right), former President Uhuru Kenyatta (centre), and DP Kithure Kindiki arrive at JKIA to await the arrival of Raila Odinga’s body.Preparations are underway at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) ahead of the arrival of the late Raila Odinga.
Military officers are standing guard at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport as they wait to receive the body of the former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
Military officers are standing guard at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport as they wait to receive the body of the former Prime Minister Raila Odinga. (PCS)
KQ203 changes code to RAO001 after reaching the Kenya Airspace in honour and respect for former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
The flight carrying Raila’s remains left Mumbai early Thursday morning after completing the repatriation process. The plane, which had initially departed Nairobi as KQ202 on Wednesday evening, changed its flight code to KQ203, which Kenya Airways confirmed would shift again to RAO001 once the aircraft enters Kenyan skies as a symbolic gesture of national respect for the late leader.
The airline said the change is meant “to honour and respect our departed leader,” adding that the expected time of arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) is 9:30 a.m.
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