Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s body has been airlifted to Bondo ahead of a night vigil and burial on Sunday.
Thousands of residents had gathered at Mamboleo in Kisumu to view the body of the former Prime Minister.
Security officials prepared the body of Raila by closing the casket ready to be airlifted to Bondo, his Opoda Farm.
His casket was draped in the Kenyan flag and was carried by the officials.
Earlier plans indicated that the body was to be transported by road but that has since changed.
Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo confirmed that the body will not be transported by road as earlier planned. Instead, it will be flown directly from Kisumu’s Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium to Bondo for logistical and security reasons.
Omollo said the decision was reached after consultations with the National Funeral Steering Committee and the family, to ensure the late opposition leader receives a dignified and well-coordinated send-off.
“The body of the former Prime Minister will be flown directly to Bondo. We want to make sure the transition from Kisumu to his home is done smoothly and respectfully,” Omollo said.
He added that public viewing of Raila’s body at the Mamboleo Stadium was scheduled to end at 3 p.m., but authorities might extend the viewing time depending on the size of the crowd.
“We are looking at the possibility of extending the viewing hours to ensure all mourners get a chance to pay their final respects. We want to assure Kenyans that no one will be left out,” Omollo said.
The PS urged mourners to maintain peace and calm as the nation bids farewell to the long-serving political icon who played a pivotal role in Kenya’s democratic reforms.
“Raila cherished peace and unity. As Kenyans, it is our duty to honour his legacy by ensuring peace throughout the mourning period, both here in Kisumu and in Bondo, where the burial will take place,” he said.
Omollo commended Kisumu residents for maintaining calm and order as thousands of mourners thronged the Jomo Kenyatta Stadium, Mamboleo, to view the body of former Prime Minister, Raila Odinga.
Speaking at the Stadium, Saturday afternoon, Omollo said the government was satisfied with the conduct of residents, noting that the day’s events reflected the dignity befitting the late opposition leader.
“I want to take this opportunity to congratulate and appreciate the people of Kisumu. We asked them to accord the Right Honourable Raila a decent send-off, and they have lived up to that,” said Omollo.
The PS, who was accompanied by local leaders, including Members of Parliament and Members of the County Assembly, assured mourners that everyone would have an opportunity to view the body before it is flown to Bondo later in the evening.
He explained that the move to transfer the body before nightfall was in line with the funeral Committee’s schedule, as preparations for Sunday’s burial in Bondo reached their final stage.
“We are in the last hours, as his wishes were, to finally lay him to rest. From here, the body will be flown to Bondo because by the time the viewing ends, it will be a bit late, and we need to get him there before it is very late,” he said.
