Former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga has been laid to rest at his ancestral home in Kang’o Ka Jaramogi, Bondo, Siaya County, beside his late father, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga. The burial, held on Sunday, was attended by President William Ruto and other top national leaders.
Raila, who died on October 15, 2025, in India while receiving treatment, was buried wearing his trademark white hat — a symbol long associated with his political identity. The burial site was identified by his elder brother, Dr. Oburu Odinga.
President Ruto had earlier declared a seven-day national mourning period, ordered flags to fly at half-mast, and announced Friday as a public holiday in honour of the veteran opposition leader.
Raila’s body arrived at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on Thursday at 9:30 a.m. It was later taken to the Kasarani International Stadium for public viewing, where thousands of Kenyans gathered to pay their last respects.
On Friday, his body was moved to Parliament Buildings, where President Ruto and other leaders viewed the body before it was taken to Nyayo Stadium for a state funeral service.
On Saturday morning, the body was flown to Kisumu and taken to the Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium in Mamboleo for public viewing. Later that evening, it was transported to his Bondo home for an overnight vigil.
The final funeral service was held on Sunday morning at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST) in Bondo, led by Bishop David Kodia. Among those present were President Ruto, former President Uhuru Kenyatta, and other dignitaries from across the political divide.
Leaders eulogized Raila as a statesman, freedom fighter, and unifying figure who left behind an indelible legacy. The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) — the party he founded — featured prominently in speeches, with leaders pledging to keep it united in his honour.
President Ruto shared emotional details of his final interactions with Raila, describing their heartfelt conversations in the weeks before his death.
“He had visited Dubai and the United States, and they told him some things about his health. After he came back, his doctors administered more medicines to him,” Ruto revealed.
The President said Raila had informed him he was in Malindi on doctors’ advice and had planned to meet him upon his return. “When I called him after getting back to Kenya, he told me, ‘William, I have gone to Malindi as per the doctors’ advice. I will be back on Tuesday,’” Ruto recounted.
During a subsequent meeting at Ruto’s Karen residence, attended by Mama Ida Odinga and Raila’s daughter, the President urged Raila to seek the best medical care, assuring him that the government would cover all expenses.
“I urged him to seek the best medical attention, and I assured him that the government would cater for all his medical expenses,” Ruto said.
Ruto also pledged to preserve Raila’s political legacy and strengthen the ODM Party, signaling possible collaboration with the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ahead of the 2027 General Election.
After the service, Raila’s casket was taken to Kang’o Ka Jaramogi for interment. Only 500 invited guests were allowed at the burial site, while the public followed proceedings live on television.
The national anthem was played as clergy led the procession to the grave, followed by military officers carrying two Kenyan flags. The flag draped over Raila’s casket was later presented to his widow, Mama Ida Odinga.
After a brief prayer, the casket was lowered into the grave amid solemn silence. Raila was accorded full military honours, including a 17-gun salute, in recognition of his contribution to the nation.
He was buried with his iconic white hat on the casket, symbolizing the end of an era in Kenya’s political history. The Odinga family led in pouring soil into the grave, followed by President Ruto and other dignitaries.
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