Casket bearing the remain of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga during funeral service at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology in Bondo, Siaya county/MAURICE ALALThe state funeral of former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga is underway today, Sunday, October 19, 2025, at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST) in Bondo, Siaya County.
According to the official state funeral programme, guests were expected to be seated by 7 a.m. at the university grounds, followed by the arrival of family members at 8 a.m.
Dignitaries and other invited guests began arriving from 8:30 a.m.
The final rites will include military and state honours, floral tributes, musical performances, and a session of votes of thanks. The ceremony marks the culmination of three days of national mourning for one of Kenya’s most influential political figures.
Security remains tight in Bondo as thousands of mourners, dignitaries, and international guests gather to bid farewell to the late former Prime Minister.
11: 00 am: Raila Odinga Junior: I’ve travelled half-way around the world with Baba’s body and now Baba is finally home…I’m dressed in white because today we are not mourning but celebrating a life well lived
10:49 am: Emily Oginga—Raila’s Sister: Raila Odinga may not have been there to fight the country’s war for independence. But he bows out as an undisputed leader of the national rebirth of the Kenyan nation
10:35 am: DP Kithure Kindiki: "Today’s occasion is to mourn the departure of Raila. We want to finish this in dignity and sobriety and anything else on the side can be done on another occasion."
10: 20 am: Rev. Joseph Wesonga: "Death has disrupted the ODM party, the broad-based government and the country but the joy we have is that God promises to be with us…Let us wait upon the Lord and do what is right and allow the democracy of our nation grow."
10:15 am: Rev. Joseph Wesonga: "The late Raila was a champion of gender equality. He was a crusader against gender violence and a politician who always had his ear on ground. Let us always listen to the people of Kenya and make justice flow like a river."
10: 10 am: Rev. Joseph Wesonga: "God is close to those who mourn. We are gathered to share in the grief of Mama Ida and the entire Odinga family. We have come to give them support so that they do not grieve alone."
10:00 am: President Ruto, Former President Uhuru Kenyatta and Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo arrive for Raila’s funeral service at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology.
