Flight fares soar on Nairobi-Kisumu route ahead of Raila Odinga’s burial
An assessment of major airlines shows that one-way tickets between Nairobi and Kisumu are now going for between Sh18,000 and Sh23,000 from Friday to Sunday morning, nearly twice the usual price range of Sh8,000 to Sh10,000.
Flight charges on the Nairobi–Kisumu route have shot up to record highs as Kenyans make their way to Nyanza for the burial of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga this weekend.
Most flights are now fully booked, with remaining seats listed at premium rates amid an extraordinary spike in travel demand.
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An assessment of major airlines shows that one-way tickets between Nairobi and Kisumu are now going for between Sh18,000 and Sh23,000 from Friday to Sunday morning, nearly twice the usual price range of Sh8,000 to Sh10,000.
The sharp rise comes as preparations for the State-organised funeral intensify, with a public viewing scheduled in Kisumu on Saturday before the body is transferred to Bondo, Siaya County, for burial on Sunday.
By Thursday afternoon, Jambojet’s online booking platform showed limited availability on Saturday, with the three flights between 6:00 am and 1:50 pm nearly sold out and the few remaining seats priced at Sh19,500.
The higher fares stretch up to the first Sunday flight at 6:00 am before gradually returning to normal later that day.
Return trips from Kisumu to Nairobi are following a similar trend. Airfares for Sunday evening and Monday morning flights have risen to around Sh19,500, and most available seats are on higher fare bands.
According to Kenya Airways, Jambojet, and Safarilink booking platforms, nearly all flights between Friday and Sunday are either full or showing very limited availability.
The Nairobi–Kisumu route remains one of the busiest in the country, serving thousands of travellers every week. In normal times, fares fluctuate depending on timing and seat demand, but rarely exceed Sh10,000 per one-way trip.
Most morning and evening flights on Friday and Saturday are already at capacity, with limited options left for early next week.
The steep rise in fares has once again exposed the vulnerability of Kenya’s domestic flight network to sudden demand surges caused by national events.
Raila’s body is expected to arrive in Kisumu on Saturday morning for public viewing before proceeding to Bondo on Sunday for interment, an occasion expected to draw massive attendance from both local and international mourners.
Raila, 80, passed away in India on Wednesday, setting off a week of national mourning and an elaborate State funeral plan.
His death has drawn mourners and delegations from across the country, many heading to Kisumu and Bondo to pay their last respects.
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