Hundreds of mourners filled the streets of Kisumu on Friday evening in a moving candlelight vigil to honour the late Raila Amollo Odinga. The emotional tribute stretched deep into the night as the city came alive with song, dance, and remembrance.
The atmosphere in the lakeside city was charged, both electric and mournful, as residents carrying candles and portraits of the fallen leader sang freedom songs and chanted Raila’s name.
The sound of vuvuzelas, drums, and chants echoed across the city, from Kondele to Kibuye, Nyalenda, and the Kisumu Boys roundabout, where groups of mourners danced to the rhythmic beat of traditional drums.
Traders seized the moment, selling vuvuzelas, Kenyan flags, Raila’s portraits, and whistles to the swelling crowd, a scene that mixed commerce with commemoration.
“We are going nowhere tonight,” said Mark Oliech, one of the mourners. “We will sleep in town until morning. We want to be here when Baba arrives.”
As night fell, the flicker of candlelight illuminated the streets, a symbol of unity and unwavering love for a man many in Kisumu fondly call Baba.
In Kondele, residents gathered around a giant screen showing clips of Raila’s political journey.
Many sat quietly, candles in hand, reflecting on a man they called the father of Kenya’s democracy.
Kisumu City Manager Abala Wanga assured residents and visitors that the city remains calm and will uphold peace throughout the mourning period.
“Kisumu is peaceful, and it shall be as peaceful as possible,” he said.
Abala added, “Whatever happened in Nairobi should not be replicated here. This is Raila’s stronghold, and we will prove the world wrong. Kisumu is orderly.”
Security has been tightened around the Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium, where the body of the former Prime Minister is expected to arrive at 8 am on Saturday.
General Service Unit (GSU) officers have been deployed to maintain order as final arrangements continue.
When some of the GSU officers arrived, locals welcomed them as others jumped on top of their vehicles as they waved back to the crowd.
Mourners are expected to be seated by 7 am for the public viewing ceremony.
After the Kisumu event, Raila’s body will be transported by road to his Opoda Farm home in Bondo, Siaya County, where another ceremony will be held before his final interment.
As night falls, Kisumu remains alive, its streets glowing with candlelight, filled with the sounds of vuvuzelas, drums, and songs of farewell to a city united in grief, pride, and love, waiting to welcome home its son.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, the co-chair of the National Funeral Committee for the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, announced that preparations for the third day of national mourning are complete, with Raila’s body set to be airlifted to Kisumu on Saturday morning.
Speaking from his official residence in Karen, where he was flanked by co-chair Oburu Odinga and other committee members, Kindiki said the Kenya Defence Forces will transport the mortal remains to the Mamboleo grounds for public viewing.
Raila died on October 15, 2025.
