National Assembly to hold special sitting Thursday to honour Raila Odinga, MPs urged to wear black
Speaker Moses Wetang’ula said the sittings will provide Members of Parliament an opportunity to honour the life and legacy of the veteran opposition leader.
The National Assembly has resolved to hold special sittings on Thursday, October 16, 2025, to pay tribute to the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who passed away in Kochi, India, on Wednesday.
Addressing the House, Speaker Moses Wetang’ula said the sittings will provide Members of Parliament an opportunity to honour the life and legacy of the veteran opposition leader.
More To Read
- Government postpones Nyota verification exercise following Raila Odinga’s death
- From the streets to the Supreme Court: How Raila Odinga made justice his battlefield
- FKF suspends all leagues for seven days following Raila Odinga’s death
- Cardiac arrest explained: The 'silent killer' reportedly behind Raila Odinga's death
- The Flame of Freedom: Raila Odinga's memoir of pain and sacrifice
- Key dates in Raila Odinga's political journey
“Following the presidential proclamation issued today, October 15, 2025, regarding the passing on of the Right Honourable Raila Amolo Odinga, the former Prime Minister of the Republic of Kenya, and pursuant to the provisions of Standing Orders 33A and C, 197, and 259, this House resolves to hold a morning sitting on Thursday, October 16, 2025, commencing at 10 am,” Wetang’ula said.
He added that the House will adjourn until Thursday morning and extend its afternoon sitting from 2:30 pm to midnight.
“We shall record our tributes by way of an exceptional motion and exempt the same from the resolution of the House of February 13, 2025, on the limitation of debate on motions and the provisions of Standing Order 97,” he said.
Wetang’ula directed all Members of Parliament to attend the Thursday sitting dressed in black or other sombre attire as a sign of respect for the fallen leader.
“I advise that tomorrow, for many if not all of you, it will be the only opportunity to eulogise the Prime Minister. It is advised that we come in a sombre state, in sombre attire, meaning we dress in black. The good ladies should provide ribbons for everyone so that we demonstrate our respect and appreciation for our fallen heroic leader,” he said.
He further explained that the special sitting would be necessary because both the Majority and Minority leaders were part of the delegation departing for Mumbai to join Mama Ida Odinga and other officials in bringing back the body of the former Prime Minister.
Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah recalled having spoken to Odinga just weeks earlier when the veteran leader called to offer condolences following the death of his father.
“When the news was broken to us early this morning by the President, it was a difficult moment. A few weeks ago, I spoke to the former Prime Minister when he called to condole with me when I lost my dad. I will live to recall how, whenever I spoke to him, he called me ‘my son’. May his soul rest in eternal peace,” Ichung’wah said.
Minority Leader Junet Mohamed also expressed his sorrow, saying he was still struggling to accept the news.
“I am still coming to terms with what has happened. Some of us had a very deep relationship with our leader. We knew death would come one day, but we didn’t expect it now,” he said.
Earlier, the House observed a minute of silence in honour of the late opposition chief before Speaker Wetang’ula made the formal announcement.
Outside Parliament, grief continued to engulf the nation as thousands of Kenyans trooped to Raila Odinga’s Karen home to mourn. The atmosphere there was charged with sorrow and disbelief as supporters, politicians, diplomats and ordinary citizens gathered to pay their respects.
President William Ruto has since declared a seven-day period of national mourning in honour of Odinga, describing him as a foremost statesman and one of Africa’s greatest sons.
“Kenya, Africa and the world mourn the passing of a giant of democracy, a fearless freedom fighter, and a tireless warrior for good governance. Raila Odinga’s name will forever be etched in the story of our Republic, a story of struggle, sacrifice, courage, and hope,” Ruto said in a national address from State House.
The President confirmed that Odinga will be accorded a State Funeral with full honours. A national funeral committee, co-chaired by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga, has been established to oversee all arrangements in consultation with the Odinga family.
A high-level government delegation led by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, alongside Cabinet Secretaries Kipchumba Murkomen and Hassan Joho, has already departed for India to facilitate the repatriation of the former Prime Minister’s remains. Mama Ida Odinga is also part of the delegation.
“He endured detention and persecution so that this nation might know and enjoy democracy. His voice spoke for the oppressed, his conviction inspired generations, and his vision shaped the course of our history,” Ruto said.
Top Stories Today
