The National Funeral Committee for the State Funeral of the late former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga has announced that he will be laid to rest on Sunday, October 19, at his home in Bondo, Siaya County, in accordance with his family’s wishes.
The committee, co-chaired by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga, confirmed the burial arrangements during a press briefing in Karen on Wednesday evening, shortly after news of Raila’s death was made public.
DP Kindiki revealed that the late ODM leader had expressed his desire to be buried within 72 hours of his death, a request the family has resolved to honour.
“We have been advised by the family that it was Raila’s wish to be buried within the shortest time possible, specifically within 72 hours. We will therefore move quickly in the next few days to fulfil that wish,” Kindiki said.
He added that President William Ruto had directed that Raila Odinga be accorded a State Funeral with full honours, recognizing his immense contribution to Kenya’s democracy and public life.
Below is the official four-day programme for the State Funeral of Raila Odinga:
Wednesday
- 6:30 p.m. – A Kenyan delegation departs for India to oversee the repatriation of Raila’s body to Nairobi.
Thursday
- 1:00 a.m. – The delegation’s plane lands in Mumbai, India.
- 3:00 a.m. – The team departs Mumbai for Nairobi.
- 8:30 a.m. – The plane carrying Raila’s body lands at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA). The body will be received by President Ruto, family members, and senior government officials before being taken to the Lee Funeral Home.
- 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. – The body will lie in state at Parliament Buildings in Nairobi’s CBD for public viewing. Designated public grieving centres will also be set up across the country for Kenyans to follow the proceedings.
- 5:00 p.m. – The body returns to the Lee Funeral Home.
Friday
- 8:00 a.m. – A State Funeral Service will be held at Nyayo Stadium, expected to draw local and international dignitaries. After the ceremony, the body will be taken to Raila’s Karen residence for an overnight stay.
Saturday
- 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. – The body departs Nairobi for Kisumu, where it will lie in state at Moi Stadium for public viewing. Afterwards, it will travel by road to Bondo, where it will remain overnight ahead of the burial.
Sunday
- A burial service will be conducted according to the Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) traditions at Raila’s Bondo home, where he will be laid to rest.
The government has appealed for calm and dignity during the national mourning period, urging Kenyans to honour Raila Odinga’s legacy of peace, democracy, and unity.
Source: Citizen Digital
Written By Rodney Mbua
