Final salute at Parliament as Ruto joins leaders in paying last respect to Raila

President William Ruto condoles Ida Odinga as Oburu Odinga looks on at Parliament, Nairobi, where Raila Odinga lay in state. (Photo: PCS)

By Maureen Kinyanjui
Friday, October 17, 2025

The President had earlier been received at Parliament by Speaker Wetang’ula and Senate Speaker Kingi before joining Chief Justice Martha Koome and several Members of Parliament in the viewing chamber.

A deep sense of sorrow filled Parliament Buildings on Friday morning as President William Ruto arrived to view the body of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who lies in state ahead of his State Funeral.

The President, accompanied by First Lady Rachel Ruto, arrived shortly after 8 a.m. Both were dressed in black, walking slowly into the hall where Raila’s casket rested. The atmosphere was tense and silent, with mourners standing still as Ruto approached the body.

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Following directions from the master of ceremonies, the President, holding his wife’s hand, moved toward the casket, where he stood in silence, his head bowed as he paid tribute to a man he described as his brother. He then went to the condolence book, taking several minutes to write his message.

After the President, members of Raila’s family, led by his sister Ruth Odinga and his children Raila Odinga Jr. and Winnie Odinga, walked up to the casket. Raila Jr. performed a brief cultural ritual beside his father’s body, lifting a fly whisk above it as his family watched in silence.

The emotional ceremony also brought together senior leaders, including National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula and Senate Speaker Amason Kingi, who led other dignitaries in paying their last respects.

The atmosphere grew heavier as mourners sang softly, “Pamoja na wewe! Pamoja na wewe!” while others cried uncontrollably.

Raila’s longtime bodyguard, Maurice Ogeta, who was with him until his final moments in India, was overcome with grief when he viewed the body of the man he had faithfully served. He was supported by Narok Senator Ledama ole Kina after appearing weak and unable to walk.

Touched by the moment, President Ruto comforted Ogeta with a hug and whispered a few words to him as mourners watched in silence.

Several officials fought to hold back tears, while others broke down completely. “It is still hard to believe Baba is gone,” said one mourner, her voice trembling. “He carried the hopes of so many Kenyans.”

The President had earlier been received at Parliament by Speaker Wetang’ula and Senate Speaker Kingi before joining Chief Justice Martha Koome and several Members of Parliament in the viewing chamber.

Raila’s body, draped in the national flag, had earlier been brought to the main foyer of Parliament by senior government officials, clergy, and family members for the short lying-in-state ceremony.

The viewing at Parliament comes ahead of the State Funeral scheduled for Saturday at Nyayo National Stadium from 9:00 am, where world leaders are expected to attend.

Security around Parliament remained tight, with officers from the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) and the National Police Service (NPS) forming a protective cordon as preparations got underway.

Thousands of security personnel have also been deployed to ensure order during the State Funeral at Nyayo Stadium. Police said about 10,000 officers, drawn from the General Service Unit, the military, and other special units, had been mobilised.

Nairobi’s head of traffic operations, Joseph Chirchir, announced that several roads near the stadium would be closed to improve security and ease movement. He advised motorists to use alternative routes through Bunyala Road and nearby access roads.