Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has paid tribute to the late former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga with a symbolic gift of bulls delivered to his ancestral home in Opoda, Bondo, Siaya County.

The gesture, deeply rooted in cultural tradition, signified solidarity and respect from Mudavadi and the wider Mulembe community as the nation continues to mourn Raila’s passing.

On Saturday, a delegation of elders from the Western region arrived in Bondo to present the animals, describing them as a token of unity and goodwill toward the Odinga family. Clad in traditional regalia, the elders conveyed Mudavadi’s condolences and praised Raila’s lifelong commitment to Kenya’s political liberation.

“Today we are bringing cows from our minister in solidarity with the departed,” one elder said while addressing mourners at the Odinga homestead.

Another elder used a proverb to emphasize the spirit of brotherhood behind the offering, saying, “If you put ugali without greens, it burns you. So we saw it fit to bring greens here. We brought cows and other items to honour the family.”

The gesture was warmly received by Bondo MP Gideon Ochanda and members of the Luo community, who thanked Mudavadi and the Mulembe delegation for their expression of unity. They said the act reflected the long-standing bonds of friendship and mutual respect between the Luo and Luhya communities.

Raila, who passed away on October 15 at the age of 80, is being remembered as a towering statesman who devoted his life to the fight for multiparty democracy, social justice, and constitutional reform.

His body is currently lying in state at the Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium in Mamboleo, Kisumu, where thousands of mourners have gathered for public viewing. He will be laid to rest on Sunday at his Opoda Farm in Bondo, Siaya County.

Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi has declared that the ODM Party will remain in government until 2027 and beyond.

Speaking on Friday, October 17, Wandayi affirmed that the late ODM leader Raila Odinga entrusted them to continue working within the government led by President William Ruto.

“Baba has left us in government led by President Ruto and that is where we are going to stay till the end. I can dare say with no fear of contradiction that we shall walk step by step with President Ruto to the end, now and beyond 2027,” he said.

However, Saboti MP Caleb Amisi took issue with Wandayi’s statement, urging him to focus on mourning Raila instead of making political declarations.

“It is not proper for some ODM leaders to come to Baba’s funeral crying that Raila Odinga left Nyanza people in the government. Let us mourn first, then tell us where he left you.

“And if indeed he left you in the government, why should you shout at the top of your voices? I thought when Baba says left, it’s left; right, it’s right. It should flow smoothly,” he said.

This comes months after Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi also stated that ODM intends to support Ruto’s re-election bid in the 2027 elections.

Speaking in Kericho on October 17, 2024, Wandayi emphasized that ODM’s collaboration with Ruto is steadfast and will extend beyond the upcoming elections.  

“I believe that our political partnership will hold strong beyond 2027. We have decided to work with President William Ruto and will stay committed to that cause. We are part and parcel of the government and the government’s foundations remain strong.

“It’s our responsibility to ensure the government remains strong. Let us keep supporting the president so that he can continue leading the government even beyond the next elections. I come from Siaya, Nyanza and we are known to make firm decisions and stand by them. We have decided to work with the president. In the event you hear noises, don’t be troubled, even one bit,” he said.

Wandayi further explained that his decision to join Ruto’s government was driven by national interests.

“I was in the opposition. However, the country is more important than individuals or political parties. That is why, when President William Ruto invited me to join his government, I accepted without hesitation,” he remarked.

Around the same time, Kisumu Senator Prof. Tom Ojienda said that the ODM Party plans to support Ruto’s bid for a second term. 

In an interview on Thursday, December 9, Ojienda stated that ODM’s support for Ruto will come as part of a broader coalition agreement that may include having a running mate from ODM.

“ODM will support President Ruto for a second term; it will be a major player. The coalition agreement may include a possibility of having a deputy president from ODM,” he stated.

Several people fainted and were carried out of Mamboleo Stadium on Saturday, October 18, 2025, during the public viewing of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s body, as overwhelming emotions gripped mourners in his hometown.

Videos shared on social media showed distressed individuals being carried out of the stadium on stretchers by medical personnel.

Kisumu, which has always been Raila’s political base and home to his most devoted supporters, witnessed scenes of profound grief as thousands of residents turned out to pay their final respects to the man they revered as their own.

The stadium was filled with wailing mourners expressing their sorrow, while others celebrated Raila’s life through dancing, a traditional display of both grief and honor in Luo culture.

The emotional intensity of the occasion led to numerous cases of people fainting and requiring medical attention.

The Kenya Red Cross, which has been instrumental in providing medical support throughout the funeral proceedings, had teams stationed at Mamboleo Stadium ready to attend to those overcome by emotion or affected by the crowded conditions.

The humanitarian organization has been a constant presence throughout the four-day State Funeral programme, responding to multiple incidents across different venues.

Unlike the chaotic scenes witnessed at JKIA on Thursday and Kasarani Stadium on Thursday and Friday, the viewing at Mamboleo proceeded in a relatively orderly manner.

So far, no major incidents of chaos have been reported at the Kisumu venue, with security forces successfully managing the large crowds while allowing mourners the space to grieve.

The Kenya Red Cross has been deployed continuously since Thursday, responding to injuries and medical emergencies at multiple locations throughout the funeral proceedings.

On Friday, during the State Funeral at Nyayo National Stadium, the organization responded to a stampede that left many in need of urgent care.

“Our team in action at the Nyayo National Stadium following a stampede during the State Funeral of the Late Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga. Providing care, psychosocial support, and medical evacuations alongside other emergency response partners,” the Red Cross stated.

Raila’s body arrived in Kisumu on Saturday morning aboard a military helicopter, which was accorded a ceremonial water salute upon landing at Kisumu International.

The body was then transported to Mamboleo Stadium for public viewing, which was scheduled to run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., according to the official State Funeral programme announced by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki.

Captain Saviemaria Ondego, the pilot who commanded the Kenya Airways flight that brought former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s body home from India on Thursday, has shared an emotional account of the historic journey, describing it as a ‘surreal moment’.

Speaking about the experience, Captain Ondego revealed the emotional weight she carried as she prepared to address passengers aboard Flight KQ203, which switched its call sign to RAO001 upon entering Kenyan airspace as a tribute to the fallen leader.

“It really was a surreal moment. Every day is never a normal day at our job. And like any flight, we woke up to a roster,” Captain Ondego stated. “There was, however, a heaviness and a responsibility to our country that made it not a normal flight,” she added.

When the time came to make the traditional captain’s, Captain Ondego was overwhelmed by emotion.

“To be honest, I went to speak and nothing came out. I had to come off the speaker, take a deep breath, and then try again,” she recalled.

Despite the initial struggle, the experienced pilot found her voice and delivered what would become a memorable three-minute tribute to the former Prime Minister.

“My voice was a little shaky, but it was important to me, and somehow the words flowed,” she said.

Captain Ondego’s in-flight announcement honored Raila’s legacy and offered condolences to his family and the nation.

“Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking. Today, we acknowledge a significant loss felt across Kenya and Africa. On behalf of the Kenya Airways family, we extend our deepest condolences on the passing of the right honorable Raila Odinga, a visionary leader and a passionate Pan-Africanist,” the tribute read.

“His influence transcends borders, inspiring many with his dedication to peace and determination to address our continent’s challenges,” she announced over the aircraft’s public address system.

Concluding her remarks, Captain Ondego emphasized national unity in the face of loss.

“To our country, to the Kenyans all around, to the family of Hon. Raila Odinga, we are with them, our hearts are with them, and we are one as a country going forward,” she said.

Kenya Airways had announced that Flight KQ203 would switch to the special call sign RAO001 upon entering Kenyan airspace at approximately 8:50 a.m. on Thursday, October 16, 2025.

The gesture was designed to honor and respect the memory of the veteran leader who had passed away the previous day in India.

The special call sign, reflecting Raila’s initials, signified his stature as one of Kenya’s most influential political figures. The flight landed at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) at around 9:30 a.m., where it was received by President William Ruto and other dignitaries.