The late former Prime Minister Raila Amollo Odinga will be buried in a private funeral service at his Opoda farm in Bondo, Siaya County.
The solemn ceremony, scheduled for Sunday, October 19, 2025, will only be attended by a select number of family members and close friends in line with his wishes.
Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga delivered the message to residents of Opoda on Thursday, October 16, 2025, after arriving at his rural home to brief them on the passing of his younger brother and to outline the funeral arrangements.
Oburu explained that the funeral will begin with a ceremony at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST), after which a few chosen individuals will proceed to the Opoda home for the private burial.
He further revealed that Raila will be laid to rest beside his late parents, as stated in his will.
“This is what I came here to do, and I’ve given them the programme, the programme which will end up with a function, with a ceremony, a burial ceremony at the Jaramogi Oginga University of Science and Technology, and later on, Raila will be buried next to our mom and dad. It will be in a private burial, which will be attended only by a few people,” Oburu stated.
The senator, who is part of the funeral steering committee, appealed to residents and supporters across the country to remain calm and peaceful as the family prepares to give the ODM leader a dignified farewell.
He emphasised that while the burial itself will be private, the public will still have an opportunity to pay their last respects during the official viewing sessions.
“Raila is no longer with us, and my people are aware, and I’ve told them so. Now, secondly, I have come here to be with my people and tell them the program which has been planned, and I want to appeal to them to be peaceful and give Raila a dignified send-off, which he deserves as a dignified son of this land,” he said.
Meanwhile, the public viewing that had initially been scheduled for Kisumu’s Moi Stadium has been moved to Jomo Kenyatta Stadium in Mamboleo.
The change is part of the revised funeral programme coordinated by the National State Funeral Committee.
