Raila’s body to stay at Lee Funeral Home overnight, not Karen residence
He said the body would be returned to the Lee Funeral Home after the ongoing public viewing at Nyayo Stadium for preservation, ahead of its airlift to Kisumu on Saturday morning.
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s body will now be preserved at the Lee Funeral Home overnight instead of being taken to his Karen residence as earlier scheduled.
In a statement on Friday, ODM Director of Communications, Philip Etale, announced the change of programme, citing unavoidable circumstances.
More To Read
- Governor Orengo announces special vigil site for Raila Odinga mourners in Bondo
- Raila should not be teargassed in death - Senator Oburu Oginga
- Two dead in Nyayo Stadium stampede during Raila Odinga’s public viewing
- Matiang’i: Raila’s 'swearing-in' at Uhuru Park was my toughest test at Interior docket
- Widow of Kasarani shooting victim recounts final moments with husband before tragedy
- Public viewing of Raila's body concludes peacefully, body taken to Lee Funeral Home
He said the body would be returned to the Lee Funeral Home after the ongoing public viewing at Nyayo Stadium for preservation, ahead of its airlift to Kisumu on Saturday morning.
“The national funeral committee wishes to announce to the public that due to unavoidable circumstances, the body of Raila Odinga will not be taken to his Karen residence for an overnight stay as earlier planned. Instead, after public viewing that is currently going on at the Nyayo National Stadium, it will be taken back to the Lee Funeral Home for preservation in readiness for airlifting to Kisumu tomorrow morning. We apologise for the inconvenience caused,” Etale said.
Heightened security
Meanwhile, viewing of Raila’s body has been conducted under heightened security, with calmness being witnessed.
Thousands of mourners patiently queued to pay their last respects to the veteran opposition leader, who died on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, in Kerala, India, at the age of 80.
As the official state funeral concluded at Nyayo Stadium, many mourners who had attended the ceremony chose to remain behind, eager for a final farewell.
After dignitaries, including President William Ruto, former President Uhuru Kenyatta, Cabinet Secretaries, senior ODM officials, and foreign leaders, left the venue, the public was granted an opportunity to view Raila’s body.
The former Prime Minister’s casket, draped in the Kenyan flag, lay at the centre of the stadium under tight security. National Youth Service (NYS) officers and General Service Unit (GSU) personnel stood guard near the casket, ensuring that mourners accessed the area in an orderly manner.
Security officers had set up a clearly marked pathway leading to the casket, where mourners filed past in a single line. Each person was allowed to briefly pause before the body, allowing everyone present to pay their final respects without overcrowding.
Many were seen placing their hands over the casket or bowing their heads in quiet reflection, while officers maintained a peaceful and steady flow throughout the viewing.
Friday’s calm scenes stood in sharp contrast to the chaos witnessed on Thursday at Kasarani Stadium, where thousands of supporters tried to force their way into the VIP area that held Raila’s body.
The impatient crowd began hurling chairs and stones at security guards who were manning the area, forcing police officers to fire in the air and lob teargas to disperse them.
The melee, which broke out shortly after 3:00 pm, saw at least three people dead and several others injured. The situation forced security agencies to reinforce operations to prevent a recurrence during Friday’s viewing.
The state funeral service at Nyayo Stadium had drawn both local and international dignitaries, accompanied by military honours, hymns and eulogies celebrating Raila’s lifelong struggle for democracy.
Among the visiting leaders were Ethiopian President Taye Atske Selassie, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, Philip Mpango, Vice President of Tanzania; Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, former President of Tanzania; and Vincent Biruta, Rwandan Interior Minister representing President Paul Kagame.
Officials from Uganda, Malawi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the African Union, and the United Nations also attended, highlighting Raila’s political and continental influence.
Raila Odinga, who served as Kenya’s Prime Minister from 2008 to 2013, will be laid to rest on Sunday, October 19, 2025, at his family homestead in Bondo, Siaya County, beside his mother, Mary Odhiambo Odinga.
Top Stories Today
