The National Assembly has resolved to hold special sittings on Thursday, October 16, 2025, to pay tribute to the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who passed away in Kochi, India, on Wednesday.
Addressing the House, Speaker Moses Wetang’ula said the sittings will provide Members of Parliament an opportunity to honour the life and legacy of the veteran opposition leader.
“Following the presidential proclamation issued today, October 15, 2025, regarding the passing on of the Right Honourable Raila Amolo Odinga, the former Prime Minister of the Republic of Kenya, and pursuant to the provisions of Standing Orders 33A and C, 197, and 259, this House resolves to hold a morning sitting on Thursday, October 16, 2025, commencing at 10 am,” Wetang’ula said.
He added that the House will adjourn until Thursday morning and extend its afternoon sitting from 2:30 pm to midnight.
“We shall record our tributes by way of an exceptional motion and exempt the same from the resolution of the House of February 13, 2025, on the limitation of debate on motions and the provisions of Standing Order 97,” he said.
Wetang’ula directed all Members of Parliament to attend the Thursday sitting dressed in black or other sombre attire as a sign of respect for the fallen leader.
“I advise that tomorrow, for many if not all of you, it will be the only opportunity to eulogise the Prime Minister. It is advised that we come in a sombre state, in sombre attire, meaning we dress in black. The good ladies should provide ribbons for everyone so that we demonstrate our respect and appreciation for our fallen heroic leader,” he said.
He further explained that the special sitting would be necessary because both the Majority and Minority leaders were part of the delegation departing for Mumbai to join Mama Ida Odinga and other officials in bringing back the body of the former Prime Minister.
Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah recalled having spoken to Odinga just weeks earlier when the veteran leader called to offer condolences following the death of his father.
“When the news was broken to us early this morning by the President, it was a difficult moment. A few weeks ago, I spoke to the former Prime Minister when he called to condole with me when I lost my dad. I will live to recall how, whenever I spoke to him, he called me ‘my son’. May his soul rest in eternal peace,” Ichung’wah said.
Minority Leader Junet Mohamed also expressed his sorrow, saying he was still struggling to accept the news.
“I am still coming to terms with what has happened. Some of us had a very deep relationship with our leader. We knew death would come one day, but we didn’t expect it now,” he said.
Earlier, the House observed a minute of silence in honour of the late opposition chief before Speaker Wetang’ula made the formal announcement.
