Tight security has been mounted at Parliament Buildings in Nairobi as the
body of former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga arrived to lie in state, a
rare honour reserved for distinguished national leaders.
The solemn moment marks one of the final
chapters in Kenya’s week of mourning following Raila’s death in India on
Wednesday.
The military-led motorcade, escorted by police outriders and an army band,
made its way through the capital shortly after dawn, drawing thousands of
mourners who lined the streets waving twigs and chanting his name.
At Parliament, officers from the Kenya Defence
Forces (KDF) and the National Police Service formed a tight security ring
around the building as preparations got underway.
Raila’s body, draped in the national
flag, was received by senior government officials, clergy, and family members
before being taken into the main foyer of Parliament for the brief
lying-in-state ceremony.
President William Ruto is expected to lead
national leaders in paying their final respects to the late opposition chief,
after which members of Parliament and other dignitaries will also view the
body.
Speakers Moses Wetang’ula (National Assembly)
and Amason Kingi (Senate) are heading the parliamentary leadership in receiving
the President and coordinating the proceedings.
Military chiefs led by Chief of Defence Forces
(CDF) General Charles Kahariri, alongside service commanders and Deputy
Inspectors General Eliud Lagat and Gilbert Masengeli, are overseeing the
security and ceremonial arrangements.
The body is expected to remain in Parliament
for a short period before being moved to Nyayo National Stadium, where a
national funeral service will be conducted by the Anglican Church of Kenya.
What it means to ‘lie in state’
To “lie in state” refers to the ceremonial tradition of placing the coffin of a national leader or prominent figure in a public government building, often draped in the national flag, to allow citizens and dignitaries to pay their final respects.
It is one of the highest state honours accorded to a public
servant and symbolizes national mourning and gratitude for a leader’s service.
Raila joins a short list of Kenyan leaders,
including former Presidents Mwai Kibaki and Daniel arap Moi, who have been
accorded this rare state honour.
After
the ceremony, the procession will leave Parliament by 8:30 a.m. for Nyayo
Stadium, where tens of thousands of mourners are expected to gather for the
state funeral service before his body is flown to Bondo for Sunday’s burial.
