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Raila body back home, funeral schedule released
Raila, who died after a cardiac arrest, will be mourned for seven days and accorded a state funeral with full honours, according to Ruto.
Supporters and mourners of Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga react at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi on October 16, 2025. (AFP)
By: Charles Etukuri, Journalists @New Vision
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The plane carrying the body of the late Kenyan prime minister Raila Odinga touched down Thursday morning, October 16, 2025, at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi after departing Mumbai in India.
The body, which was draped with a Kenyan flag in India before departure, was received by President William Ruto at the airport, according to reports reaching New Vision Online.
Earlier, officials prepared at JKIA in Nairobi ahead of the arrival of Odinga's body
A high level delegation, led by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, including Senator Oketch, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, Energy CS Opiyo Wandayi, and Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung’wah, flew to India yesterday. Representing the family is Raila’s youngest daughter, East African Legislative Assembly Member of Parliament Winnie Odinga.
Raila, who died after a cardiac arrest, will be mourned for seven days and accorded a state funeral with full honours, according to Ruto.
According to a detailed funeral programme, the Kenyan Opposition icon will now be buried on Sunday at his ancestral home in Bondo, Siaya County in the former Nyanza province.
This is after it emerged that it was Raila’s wish to be laid to rest within seventy-two hours of his passing.
However, Kenyan government officials noted that given that his demise occurred abroad, certain logistical considerations and formalities will understandably affect the timelines.
The body will then be taken to the Lee Funeral Home as the military plans the state funeral.
The death of Raila Odinga hogs the headlines in Kenya and beyond
At 11:00 am, the body will be taken to Parliament for public viewing.
Kindiki also announced that a public service is planned for Friday at Nyayo National Stadium.
On Saturday, Raila's body will leave for Kisumu and upon arrival, there will be public viewing, after which the body shall be moved to Bondo.
On Sunday, Raila will be buried in Bondo in accordance with Anglican church rites.
According to the burial programme, Raila will be laid to rest next to his mother Mary Juma as per his wishes. The mother died on November 5, 1984, while Raila was being detained at Shimo la Tewa Prison and he never got a chance to pay his last respects.