Live blog: Raila's body arrives in Bondo ahead of Sunday burial

Live blog: Raila's body arrives in Bondo ahead of Sunday burial

Emotions ran high, and wails filled the air as the body of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga arrived at the Mamboleo grounds in Kisumu for public viewing.

The Eastleigh Voice continues the live coverage of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga's final send-off.

On Saturday, Raila's remains will be airlifted to Kisumu, where there will be a public viewing at the Mamboleo grounds.

Later, the body will be taken to Bondo for an overnight stay ahead of Sunday’s burial.

On Friday, the government held a State Funeral service for the late Prime Minister, which President William Ruto attended alongside hundreds of dignitaries and thousands of mourners at the Nyayo National Stadium.

Live: Updates

Oct 18, 18:45

This marks the conclusion of the live blog. Thank you for following the updates on The Eastleigh Voice!

Be sure to catch further updates here on Sunday, October 19, during Raila Odinga's burial in Bondo, Siaya.

Goodbye!

Oct 18, 17:37

Public viewing of Raila Odinga's body is ongoing at his Opoda Farm as thousands throng the home to bid him farewell.

Oct 18, 17:18

Siaya Governor James Orengo leads leaders in paying last respects to Raila Odinga in Bondo.

Oct 18, 17:13

Raila Jr places his late father's iconic hat and flywhisk on the casket.

Oct 18, 17:10

Raila Odinga's widow, Ida, and daughter Rosemary view the body at their Opoda Farm home in Bondo, Siaya.

Oct 18, 16:52

In a change of programming, members of the public allowed to view Raila Odinga’s body first at his home at Opoda Farm in Bondo, Siaya.

 

Oct 18, 16:46

Raila Odinga's body transported to his home in a white hearse in a procession of military officers.

Oct 18, 16:36

Raila Odinga's body is being wheeled into a hearse.

Members of the public informed that the body will first be taken into his home, then returned for a vigil for those gathered at the residence.

Oct 18, 16:32

Military, flanked by family members and the clergy, prepare to offload Raila Odinga's body into a hearse for transportation to the former prime minister's home for a night vigil.

Oct 18, 16:22

Maurice Ogeta, Raila Odinga's no-nonsense bodyguard, steadfastly by the former premier’s side, even in death.

Oct 18, 16:20

Contingent of armed police officers on hand to cordon and provide security at the landing site.

Oct 18, 16:15

The helicopter ferrying Raila Odinga's body arrives at his Opoda Farm in Bondo.

This is amidst agitation that the body should have been taken to the home by road, a 23-kilometre journey.

Oct 18, 15:55

Helicopter ferrying Raila Odinga's remains departs for the former premier's home at Kang'o Ka Jaramogi home in Bondo for the final night vigil ahead of his burial on Sunday, October 19, 2025.

Oct 18, 15:30

Military carriage bearing the remains of Raila Odinga wheeled to the waiting helicopter following the conclusion of public viewing at Mamboleo Grounds.

Oct 18, 15:20

Police hold back thousands as they bid final farewell to Raila Odinga in Kisumu's iconic Mamboleo Grounds.

Oct 18, 15:15

Military helicopter to ferry Raila Odinga's remains for the final night vigil in Bondo ahead of the former premier's burial on Sunday lands at Mamboleo Grounds.

Thousands are still at the stadium to bid farewell to Odinga. Earlier, public viewing was extended to accommodate the large crowd.

Oct 18, 15:00

Public viewing of Raila Odinga's body at Mamboleo Grounds in Kisumu concludes.

Casket closed, awaiting the military helicopter to ferry the former premier's remains to Bondo, Siaya, marking a solemn moment for the lakeside city.

Oct 18, 11:29

Siaya Senator James Orengo confirms there will be a venue set aside near Raila's Opoda farm, where the residents of Bondo and Siaya County will be able to still pay their final respects once the body of the late ODM leader arrives.

Oct 18, 10:42

Medical personnel attend to emotionally overwhelmed mourners who fainted after viewing Raila Odinga's remains at the Mamboleo grounds in Kisumu.

Oct 18, 10:11

Heavy security presence as mourners quickly pay their respects to the former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and exit during the public viewing.

Oct 18, 09:45

The public viewing of Raila's body begins for the thousands of mourners who have turned up at the Mamboleo grounds in Kisumu.

Oct 18, 09:14

Security was extra-tight at the Mamboleo grounds in Kisumu as NYS officers joined both military and National Police Service personnel to ensure an orderly exercise during the public viewing of Raila Odinga's body.

 

Oct 18, 09:11

The ceremony begins with both Kenya's and East Africa's National Anthems after the casket is placed at the centre of the Mamboleo grounds.

Oct 18, 09:09

An emotional Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga at the Mamboleo grounds.

Kisumu Governor Prof. Anyang' Nyong'o, Energy CS Wandayi and Interior PS Omolo, among others, moments before they received the body of Raila Odinga at the Mamboleo grounds, where the public will view the body and pay their last respects.

 

Oct 18, 08:38

The military chopper bearing the remains of Raila lands at the Mamboleo grounds in Kisumu from the Kisumu International Airport.

Oct 18, 08:27

The military chopper bearing the remains of Raila leaves the Kisumu International Airport for the Mamboleo grounds in Kisumu.

Oct 18, 08:09

Raila Odinga's body unloaded from the military aircraft at Kisumu International Airport to another military chopper for the Mamboleo grounds for a public viewing.

Oct 18, 07:16

The military aircraft carrying the casket bearing the remains of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga lands at the Kisumu International Airport.

The Kenya Air Force was accorded the symbolic water salute upon arrival at the runway.

Oct 18, 06:30

The casket bearing the remains of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga departs the JKIA for Kisumu aboard a military aircraft.

The flight was renamed to ENIGMA01 in honour of the late former Prime Minister.

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