

The atmosphere at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on Thursday was heavy with grief, as Raila Odinga’s family arrived to receive the body of the former prime minister.
Among the most heart-wrenching sights were his daughters, Winnie Odinga and Rosemary Odinga, who were overcome with emotion.
The two were seen weeping openly, holding each other in tight embraces, their sorrow a raw testament to the loss of a father and a political icon.
Raila Odinga, a towering figure in Kenya’s political landscape, passed away on October 15, 2025, at the age of 80.
His death has plunged the nation into mourning, and the personal grief of his family mirrored the national sentiment.
At JKIA, the daughters’ tears were visible even from a distance, as they clung to one another, seeking comfort in shared sorrow.
The moment captured the intimate pain of losing a parent. The scene was made even more poignant by the presence of other family members.
Mama Ida Odinga, Raila’s wife, was seated nearby, holding his iconic white fedora hat — a symbol of his persona and enduring legacy.
For the Odinga family and supporters, the hat has long been part of Raila’s persona: a dignified tilt atop his head, worn in gatherings, public functions, and moments of ceremony.
The hat has become more than optional attire; it is part of the visual shorthand by which many Kenyans recognised and remembered him.
It also symbolises a lineage of respect, continuity, and collective memory.
Standing beside her was Raila Odinga Junior, silently observing the moment, his face a mix of solemnity and restraint. Together, the family formed a picture of dignified mourning, each member navigating the depth of loss in their own way.
Their tears, their tight embraces, and their attempts to console one another conveyed a story of love, loss, and the weight of carrying forward a family legacy in a moment of profound sorrow.
President William Ruto and former President Uhuru Kenyatta stood side by side with the family of former Prime Minister offering consolation as the nation received the body of the late former PM.
Several other leaders, long-time loyal supporters of Raila Odinga, were also seen weeping.
Moments earlier, the airport had been placed under tight military and police security as preparations intensified for the arrival of the Kenya Airways flight carrying Odinga’s remains from India.
Other top government officials present were Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and Senate Speaker Amason Kingi.
In the midst of national sorrow, the intimate moments of Winnie and Rosemary Odinga’s grief remind the nation of the personal cost of losing a beloved parent, and the quiet dignity with which they bear it.