The body of former Prime Minister Raila Amollo Odinga will be airlifted from
Kisumu to his rural home in Bondo, Siaya County, this evening for a night vigil
ahead of his burial on Sunday.
Interior Principal Secretary Dr. 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.
Dr. 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.
Omolo assured supporters of Raila across the country that they are safe in the hands of President William Ruto.
"The former Premier left us in the hands of President Ruto. You're safe there, and we should continue working with the government," he said.
Raila, he said, largely and dearly supported the broad-based government, which his supporters and the people of Nyanza should fully support.
In Bondo, the body will be taken to Raila's Opoda home for a night vigil ahead of burial at Kang'o Ka Jaramogi on Sunday.
Omollo assured the maximum security of mourners in Kisumu and Bondo to ensure Raila is buried as a statesman and a patriot, he was.
Only a few people (dignitaries) alongside family members will attend the private burial ceremony at Kang'o Ka Jaramogi.
He, however, assured that mourners will have the opportunity to follow the ceremony at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University.
Security agencies, including the Kenya Defence
Forces and the National Police Service, have maintained tight surveillance across
Kisumu and Siaya counties to ensure smooth coordination of the final events.
Dr. Omollo acknowledged the unprecedented
turnout of mourners since Raila’s body arrived in Kisumu, saying the outpouring
of emotion reflected the immense respect and love Kenyans had for him.
“We have to agree that in the history of this
country, there has never been a farewell of this magnitude. This is Raila’s
send-off, and it shows the impact he had on generations of Kenyans,” Omollo
noted.
The night vigil in Bondo is expected to draw
national and regional leaders, clergy, and thousands of mourners ahead of
Sunday’s funeral service, which will mark the final chapter of Raila Odinga’s
journey.
