Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s body is expected to arrive in Kenya Thursday morning at 8:30 am.
The ODM leader died on Wednesday morning after suffering a cardiac arrest while he was on a morning walk in India.
President William Ruto announced that the Indian government will facilitate the repatriation of the body of the former Prime Minister.
To help in the process, Ruto said a delegation comprising government officials and family members will be leaving for India.
The team, he said, will be led by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi among some other Cabinet Secretaries and family members.
The delegation which left Kenya on Wednesday evening, will arrive in Mumbai at 1am, have a layover of two hours, and they head back with Raila’s body.
“Tentatively the body will be in Nairobi between 8.30am tomorrow,” Deputy President Kithure Kindiki said during a press conference on Wednesday evening.
Kindiki said that Raila's body will be received by President Ruto and later head to Lee Funeral Home in preparation for public viewing by Kenyans.
Earlier on, President Ruto announced a seven-day national mourning period during which the national flag will be flown at half-mast in the country and all of Kenya’s embassies abroad.
Ruto directed that all top government officials stop flying the national flag on their official motor vehicles as the nation mourns the death of Raila.
The announced that “the President, the Deputy President, the Prime Cabinet Secretary, the Chief Justice and Cabinet Secretaries shall not fly the national flag on their official motor vehicles from today until sunset on the day of his interment.”
Others affected are the Speaker of the National Assembly, the Speaker of the Senate, Kenya’s diplomats abroad, and “whosoever else is so authorised by law.
The directive, which took effect immediately, forms part of a wider set of national mourning measures following the passing of the veteran opposition leader and democracy icon.
Condolence messages continued to pour in from leaders across the political divide, as well as from international partners and citizens, all hailing Raila’s lifelong dedication to Kenya’s democratic ideals.
President William Ruto paid a heartfelt tribute to the late ODM leader, describing him as a “towering statesman” whose decades of public service, courage, and vision helped shape modern Kenya.
“Raila Odinga’s life was one of conviction and resilience. His struggle for justice, freedom, and inclusion transformed our nation and inspired generations. Kenya mourns a true patriot,” the President said.
The Head of State will, however, continue to fly the yellow presidential standard on his official vehicle during the mourning period.
Ruto also ordered that the national flag be flown at half-mast across the Republic of Kenya and in all Kenyan missions abroad until sunset on the day of Raila’s burial.
