Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has announced that the public viewing of the late ODM leader Raila Odinga will continue on Friday, October 17.
Speaking on Thursday, October 16 evening, Kindiki, who serves as the co-chairperson of Raila’s National Funeral Committee, said members of the public will be given an opportunity to view the former Prime Minister’s body after a state funeral at the Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi.
The DP noted that the public viewing will begin at around 12 p.m. and will continue for as long as possible to allow many Kenyans to pay their last respects.
“There will be a public viewing of the remains of the late Prime Minister Raila Odinga after the State event.
“Therefore, those who want to continue mourning our departed leader have no cause to worry; there will be another opportunity and we will stretch that opportunity from noon to as far as possible, to give the highest number of mourners to pay their last respects,” Kindiki said.
On Thursday, the public viewing of Raila was relocated from the Parliament buildings to the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani Stadium, due to logistical issues.
The ODM leader’s body arrived at the stadium in the afternoon, but Kenyans had to wait until 5 PM before the public viewing of Raila’s body began.
President William Ruto, who received Raila’s body at JKIA earlier in the day, was among the first dignitaries to view the body at Kasarani.
He was accompanied by former President Uhuru Kenyatta, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi.
Odinga family, including Mama Ida Odinga, Raila’s widow, alongside their children, Raila Junior and Rosemary Odinga, were also present at Kasarani.
The thousands of mourners waited in line to view the body, with the event extending up to around 8 PM.
Meanwhile, the State Funeral in honour of Raila, being held at Nyayo Stadium, will include full military honours, a church service led by the Anglican Church, a eulogy, and speeches from various leaders.
On Saturday, Raila’s body will be moved to Kisumu on where there will be a public viewing at Moi Stadium between 9 am and 3 pm.
Raila will be laid to rest on Sunday, October 19, at his Bondo home beside the graves of his late father, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga and son, Fidel Odinga.
Raila passed away on Wednesday morning at the age of 80 after suffering a cardiac arrest during a morning walk at an Ayurvedic treatment facility in India.
