Raila should not be teargassed in death - Senator Oburu Oginga
The senator, who is Raila’s elder brother, criticised the use of tear gas and force against mourners, emphasising that people who had come to pay their respects should have been allowed to grieve peacefully.
Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga, who also serves as the National Funeral Committee co-chair overseeing the burial of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, has condemned the use of force and tear gas during the public viewing of the late leader’s body on Thursday at Kasarani Stadium.
Speaking on Friday during a press briefing, Oburu expressed disappointment over the chaotic scenes that marred the viewing, urging security officers to exercise restraint and allow mourners to grieve peacefully.
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“I would like to express my disappointment that yesterday there was some tear gas which was thrown around. I really don’t like tear gas. Raila should not be teargassed in death. He was teargassed when he was alive; please, let us not cause a situation where he is teargassed again when we are escorting him,” he said.
The senator, who is Raila’s elder brother, criticised the use of tear gas and force against mourners, emphasising that people who had come to pay their respects should have been allowed to grieve peacefully.
“Let us behave in a way that does not give any reason for tear gassing or using force against our innocent people. They have come to mourn, and they should be allowed to mourn peacefully. Please, that is the only appeal I would like to make to our people,” he said.
He appealed for calm among mourners as the funeral process continued, describing the chaos as regrettable and unnecessary.
“I also want to take this opportunity to appeal and plead with my people to be peaceful. I know the pain you feel; you feel as much as all of us do, but this is not the time to do anything that could cause harm or instability among our people,” he added.
“We want to behave with dignity. We want our people to respect this occasion because Raila loved them so much, and they should also treat his send-off with a lot of restraint. Let us mourn in peace, escort our brother in peace, and let his soul also lie in peace.”
His sentiments come after chaos erupted at Kasarani on Thursday afternoon after crowds surged toward the Presidential Pavilion entrance during the viewing of Raila’s body. Police fired tear gas canisters and live bullets to control the crowd, leaving at least three people dead and several others injured.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, who co-chairs the funeral committee, assured the public that subsequent events would proceed peacefully and with dignity.
“We are happy the second day has come to an end, and we are praying and pleading that tomorrow (Saturday) will be even better. We will dignify our leader, respect our leader, and mourn in dignity,” Kindiki said.
He confirmed that on Saturday, October 18, the body of the former Prime Minister will be airlifted by the Kenya Defence Forces to Mamboleo Grounds in Kisumu at around 8:00 am.
Members of the public are requested to be settled by 7:00 am to dignify the arrival of the leader’s remains.
He noted that there will be public viewing throughout the day before the body is taken to Bondo for an overnight stay ahead of the burial on Sunday.
Raila Odinga, 80, will be laid to rest on Sunday, October 19, 2025, at his home in Bondo, Siaya County.
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