Interior and administration PS Dr Raymond Omollo, together with the Siaya County leadership and Raila's funeral committee, during an assessment tour of the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST) grounds, the venue for the State Funeral Service of the Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga tomorrow./MAURICE ALAL
Final preparations are complete for the farewell of the Right Hon. Raila Odinga, set to take place tomorrow, October 19, in Bondo, Siaya County.
At Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST), the venue for the funeral service, arrangements have been finalised.
Leaders from the region gathered on Saturday to inspect the final preparations, united in grief and reverence. The body of the late former Prime Minister was airlifted to his Opoda Farm residence after a public viewing at Jomo Kenyatta Stadium in Kisumu.
The passing of Jakom, a towering figure of leadership and legacy, continues to cast a heavy shadow over the community, the nation, and the continent.
In Kisumu, Governor Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o and other leaders joined Raila’s family, friends, and patriots from across the country and beyond for the viewing ceremony. His casket, draped in the Kenyan flag, was later flown to Siaya for the final vigil.
Interior and administration PS Dr Raymond Omollo, together with the Siaya County leadership and Raila's funeral committee, during an assessment tour of the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST) grounds, the venue for the State Funeral Service of the Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga tomorrow./MAURICE ALALThe helicopter carrying his body touched down at Opoda Farm at 4:16 p.m., where mourners wailed and blew vuvuzelas as the casket was received by the Odinga family.
Hundreds of residents had gathered at the farm, standing in long, silent queues to pay their last respects. Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo confirmed that earlier plans to transport the body by road had been changed.
“The decision centred on logistical coordination and security preparedness to ensure the ceremony proceeds smoothly, safely, and with the dignity befitting a national hero,” Omollo said.
Odinga will be laid to rest at the family home in Kang’o ka Jaramogi, Bondo, after a night vigil at Opoda Farm.
Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST) grounds, the venue for the State Funeral Service of the Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga tomorrow./MAURICE ALAL
Interior and administration PS Dr Raymond Omollo, together with the Siaya County leadership and Raila's funeral committee, during an assessment tour of the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST) grounds, the venue for the State Funeral Service of the Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga tomorrow./MAURICE ALAL
