Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna has appealed to supporters and Kenyans to stop visiting the home of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga in Karen to mourn.
Sifuna said Raila’s residence cannot accommodate the large number of people wishing to pay their respects.
He noted that the situation has become overwhelming for Mama Ida Odinga, who is currently at the home receiving mourners.
“I want to make a very special request, both as a leader in Nairobi and as SG of ODM, our people must now stop going to Mama Ida’s house because she is there alone and she is overwhelmed,” Sifuna said.
He added that the ODM leadership is in discussions to set up designated mourning centers across the country to allow Kenyans to grieve collectively.
“We understand the love, and in fact, the discussion amongst the leadership is that we need to set up some points for people who would want to mourn Mzee. It doesn’t necessarily have to be in Karen,” he said.
The ODM Secretary-General emphasised that further information on the designated mourning points will be communicated soon to enable supporters to mourn in an organised manner.
Raila passed away on Wednesday morning while receiving
treatment in India, the family confirmed.
A delegation comprising government officials and family members, led by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, is set to leave for India today to facilitate “proper organisation” in the repatriation of his remains.
Other members of the delegation are Mama Ida, Cabinet Secretaries Kipchumba Murkomen (Interior) and Hassan Joho (Mining), National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wa, Minority Leader Junet Mohamed, and family members, Jaoko Oburu Odinga, Kevin Opiyo Oginga, and others.
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.
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.
Ruto 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.
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.
