There were emotional scenes at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on Thursday morning, October 16, 2025, as the body of the late former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga arrived from India.
Among the thousands gathered to receive the fallen statesman was Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir, who broke down in tears upon seeing the casket draped in the Kenyan flag.
The governor, a long-time ally and loyal supporter of the former Prime Minister, was visibly overwhelmed by emotion, sobbing uncontrollably as his bodyguard watched.
The late Raila Odinga’s casket, which was expected to be wheeled to a ceremonial reception led by President William Ruto, could not follow the planned protocol due to the overwhelming crowds that surged past security barriers.
However, moments after the aircraft carrying Raila’s body landed at 9:33 am, the situation quickly became uncontrollable as thousands of supporters, chanting his name, broke through the security cordons and surged onto the tarmac.
The military was forced to halt the original plan and instead escorted Raila’s body to Lee Funeral Home, albeit sandwiched between mammoth crowds.
The Kenya Airways flight RAO001, carrying the body of the former prime minister, which had earlier changed its call sign from KQ203 in honour of the late leader, was received with jets of water sprayed from fire trucks as the aircraft rolled on the runway, marking the first time such a tribute has been performed for a Kenyan leader.
The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) and airport security personnel struggled to contain the crowd, which included emotional mourners carrying portraits of Raila and ODM flags.
Despite the disruption, the arrival marked a moment of unity as leaders from across the political divide, including President Ruto and former President Uhuru Kenyatta, stood side by side to honour Raila’s memory.
As the sombre tunes of the military band played, Governor Nassir and other mourners bowed their heads, some breaking into tears, others waving flags in silent tribute.
The nation now enters a period of mourning, with Kenyans reflecting on the life and legacy of a man whose fight for democracy, justice, and equality left an indelible mark on the country’s history.
