Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has announced the funeral plans for former Prime Minister Raila Odinga who passed away on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, at the age of 80.
Following his death, President William Ruto, on Wednesday afternoon, while addressing the nation from the State House, announced the formation of a national funeral committee to coordinate the burial arrangements of the late former Prime Minister.
President Ruto announced that the committee would be co-chaired by DP Kindiki and Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga, Raila’s elder brother.
“The committee is to be co-chaired by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga and has been set up to coordinate the funeral arrangements,” said President Ruto.
DP Kithure Kindiki announces Raila Odinga’s funeral arrangements
Following the formation of the State funeral committee, the team led by DP Kindiki on Wednesday night addressed the country on Odinga’s funeral plans.
Also Read: Indian Cardiologist Reveals Raila Odinga’s Last Moments as Medics Tried to Save Him
Kindiki noted that Raila had requested to be interred within 72 hours in his will.
The Deputy President noted that Raila Odinga’s body is scheduled to arrive in Mumbai at 1:00 AM on Thursday, followed by a 2:00 AM departure from the Indian capital to Nairobi.
His body is then expected to arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) at 8:30 AM on Thursday where it will be received by President Ruto and other officials. At 10:00 AM, the body will be taken to Lee Funeral Home, after which a state procession to Parliament will take place at 12:00 PM.
A public body viewing will take place on the same day from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM in Nairobi. A State funeral service will then be held at the Nyayo National Stadium on Friday, where high ranking dignitaries are expected to attend.
Raila’s remains will then be transported on Saturday in a procession to Kisumu and Bondo before his burial. There will be a public viewing in Kisumu before the body is transported to Bondo for overnight mourning.
He will then be buried on Sunday in the family’s graveyard in Kango Ka Jaramogi, Nyamira, Bondo, beside his late father Jaramogi and son Fidel’s graves.
Ruto declares 7 days of mourning
President Ruto during his address on Wednesday afternoon declared a seven-day period of national mourning following Odinga’s death and announced the suspension of all his public engagements to join Kenyans in mourning and reflection, as a mark of respect.
Also Read: Raila Odinga Death: President Ruto’s Address to the Nation [FULL TEXT SPEECH]
Further, the Head of State announced that the Government of India, following a formal request from Kenya, had offered to assist in bringing home Raila’s remains.
“At the same time, the government of India, at the request of the government of Kenya, has offered to facilitate the repatriation of the remains of the former Prime Minister,” he said.
The President announced that a delegation comprising senior government officials and members of Raila’s family would leave for India immediately to ensure the process is handled with the dignity and respect befitting a national figure.
“A delegation comprising government officials and family members led by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi is leaving immediately for India to facilitate proper organisation in the repatriation of the remains of our brother Raila Odinga,” President Ruto stated.
The delegation, which has since left for India aboard a Kenya Airways (KQ) flight, also includes Cabinet Secretaries Kipchumba Murkomen, Ali Hassan Joho, William Kabogo, and Opiyo Wandayi, alongside National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah.
Members of the Odinga family are also accompanying the team and are expected to land in Mumbai, India anytime from 1:00 AM Thursday.
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