Raila Odinga’s last journey as body airlifted to Kisumu aboard military aircraft for final send-off
Escorted by Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) personnel and clergy, the casket was transferred from the hearse to a military wheel carrier before being loaded onto a Kenya Air Force aircraft.
In the early hours of Saturday morning, the body of Raila Odinga made its final journey through Nairobi before being flown to Kisumu.
The casket, draped in the Kenyan flag, arrived at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport shortly after 5 am aboard the familiar black Mercedes-Benz hearse from Lee Funeral Home, a vehicle long associated with Kenya’s most prominent leaders.
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Escorted by Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) personnel and clergy, the casket was transferred from the hearse to a military wheel carrier before being loaded onto a Kenya Air Force aircraft.
The solemn ceremony, conducted with full military honours, marked Raila’s last departure from the capital. The aircraft took off from JKIA at 6:30 am, bound for Kisumu, where there will be a public viewing at the Mamboleo grounds.
The flight was renamed to ENIGMA01 in honour of the late former Prime Minister.
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.
Raila Odinga, aged 80, passed away in southern India while receiving treatment.
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