On Thursday morning, just moments before the Kenya Airways plane carrying the body of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga touched down at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, a vast and restless crowd of mourners - braving the biting morning chill - broke through security barriers and breached protocol at what was intended to be a solemn state occasion.
Security personnel, deployed to maintain order and decorum, found themselves overwhelmed as the crowd surged forward, wailing and chanting while waving twigs, a symbolic expression of grief and solidarity. Their task grew more arduous as the funeral cortege began its slow departure from the airport.
Security personnel patrol JKIA ahead of the arrival of Raila Odinga's remains on October 16, 2025.
Photo credit: Billy Ogada| Nation Media Group
Outside the gates, an even larger throng had gathered, merging with those from within, effectively bringing the procession, led by a military vehicle bearing the late statesman's body - to a crawl en route to Lee Funeral Home.
Hundreds of people gather on the streets to bid farewell to former Prime Minister and politician Raila Odinga, who passed away while receiving treatment at a hospital, on October 16, 2025, in Nairobi, Kenya.
Photo credit: REUTERS
By 11:45 am, the body of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader had yet to arrive at the mortuary, contrary to the official programme released earlier by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, who chairs the National Funeral Committee. The itinerary had stated that the body was to depart Lee Funeral Home at that hour for Parliament Buildings, where a public viewing was scheduled.
Members of the Kenya Defence Forces disperse the crowd after the arrival of the body of former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who had been receiving medical treatment in India when he died, in Nairobi, Kenya October 16, 2025.
Photo credit: REUTERS/Thomas Mukoya
In light of the unexpectedly massive turnout, the committee later announced a change of venue, relocating the public viewing from Parliament to Kasarani Stadium to accommodate the surging crowds. A similar change had earlier been made in Kisumu, where the public viewing venue was moved from Moi Stadium to the Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium in Mamboleo.
Given the logistical challenges witnessed between JKIA and Lee Funeral Home, it goes without saying that the Kithure Kindiki-led committee must reconsider its earlier plan to transport Odinga’s body from Kisumu to Bondo by road and instead weigh the possibility of using a helicopter to avoid another emotionally charged disruption.
George Okoth, a dedicated member of the ODM based in Kisumu, expressed concern over the proposed road journey.
Supporters of Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga viewing his body at Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi on October 16,2025.
Photo credit: Evans Habil| Nation Media Group
"The size of the crowd we’re expecting on Saturday could easily triple what I witnessed in Nairobi. And navigating through areas like Kisian, Holo, Kombewa and Akala without being intercepted by mourners will be nearly impossible,” he remarked.
Speaking to mourners at Opoda Farm, the family’s rural homestead, Odinga’s elder brother, Oburu Oginga - who also co-chairs the National Funeral Committee - announced that the former Prime Minister’s body was expected to arrive home around 5pm on Saturday.
"After the national ceremony in Nairobi on Friday, the body will be flown to Kisumu the next day, where it will remain until 3 pm, before the procession departs for Opoda Farm," he stated.
Mourners running away from tear gas smoke after canisters were lobbed to disperse them as they demanded to view Raila Odinga's body at Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi on October 16, 2025.
Photo credit: Evans Habil| Nation Media Group
However, Mr Okoth expressed scepticism, noting that the two-hour window may be insufficient to cover the 61.6-kilometre journey, given the likelihood of repeated interruptions along the way.
