The Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) Bondo Diocese Bishop, Rev. David Hillington Kodia, has revealed that the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga was once denied baptism by a white priest because he did not have a Christian name. Speaking on Sunday, October 19, during Raila’s funeral service at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST) in Bondo, Siaya County, Bishop Kodia said the incident occurred when Raila’s father, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, insisted that his son be named Raila Amolo Odinga instead of adopting a Western or biblical name such as John or David. “I want to…
Author: David Wafula
President William Ruto, former President Uhuru Kenyatta, and former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo have arrived at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST) in Bondo, Siaya County, for the national funeral service of former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga. Other top leaders in attendance include National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, Cabinet Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, Members of Parliament, and various political leaders from across the country. Their arrival came shortly after Raila’s body was brought to the venue aboard a military vehicle from his Opoda Farm home in Bondo. The convoy was escorted by police outriders and military…
The body of former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga has arrived at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST) for the national funeral service. The military convoy transporting the late leader’s body from his Opoda Farm home in Bondo arrived at the university grounds to the sound of hymns and chants from thousands of mourners who had gathered since early morning. The casket, draped in the national flag, was received by military officers and clergy. Security around the venue has been tightened, with the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) and National Police Service maintaining order. The atmosphere remains…
The body of former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga is currently being transported from his Opoda Farm home to the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST), where the main funeral service will be held. The military-led convoy, carrying the casket draped in the national flag, left Opoda Farm moments ago amid emotional scenes. Thousands of mourners have lined up along the route, waving and singing as the hearse carrying Raila’s body passes by. Many are waving Kenyan flags and portraits of the late leader, while others raise their fists in salute, chanting liberation songs that defined his…
Kenya Airways Captain Saviemaria Ondego has shared her emotional experience flying the body of the late former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga from Mumbai, India, to Nairobi, describing the flight as unlike any other in her career. In a video released by Kenya Airways, Captain Ondego said the journey carried a deep emotional weight. “There was heaviness in the responsibility to our country that made it not a normal flight,” she said. The Kenya Airways flight, KQ203, departed Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport at 6:23 a.m. Kenyan time with Raila’s remains, his family, and a delegation of 30 leaders on…
The body of the late former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga has arrived at his rural home in Opoda Farm, Bondo, Siaya County, ahead of his burial on Sunday. Earlier in the day, thousands of mourners in Kisumu had the opportunity to view Raila’s body at the Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium in Mamboleo for several hours. His wife, Mama Ida Odinga, and daughter, Rosemary Odinga, had arrived earlier at the Bondo home to receive the body. The residence has seen a steady flow of leaders and dignitaries paying tribute, including DAP-K Party leader Eugene Wamalwa and Trans Nzoia Governor George…
Mama Ida Odinga, the wife of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, has urged Kenyans to maintain peace and calm as the nation continues to mourn her husband. Speaking to the press at her Opoda Farm home in Bondo on Saturday, Mama Ida said this is a solemn moment that requires respect and order. “Now, I want to appeal to our people: we must mourn Raila in peace. This is a solemn occasion. It is not a time for confusion. Things work better when we do them calmly and respectfully,” she said. She added that dignified mourning reflects true…
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s younger sister, Ruth Odinga, has expressed deep sorrow over what she termed as hypocrisy among some young Kenyans, saying her late brother died feeling unloved by the very generation now mourning him. Speaking in Bondo on Saturday, Ruth said Raila had sensed growing hostility from sections of the youth, especially on social media, and passed away believing that many Gen Zs wished him dead. “The Gen Zs are the same people talking about the outpouring love when he is dead. How about when he was not dead and you wanted him to die?” Ruth said…
The newly established Gang Suppression Force (GSF) in Haiti received a boost with 20 new Armored Personnel Carriers from the USA. United Nations Security Council Resolution 2793 (2025), adopted on 30 September 2025, UNSCR 2793 (2025) authorized the transition of the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission into the newly established Gang Suppression Force (GSF) for an initial period of 12 months. The USA government has recently delivered 20 additional new Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs), with five already deployed to the Artibonite area, demonstrating continued international confidence in and support for the GSF’s mission. These reinforcements highlight the GSF’s determination, under…
Roots Party leader George Wajackoyah has paid an emotional tribute to the late former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga, describing him as a political father whose death has left him “an orphan.” Wajackoyah, who returned to the country from the United States, visited Raila’s Opoda Farm in Bondo, Siaya County, where he joined other leaders and mourners paying their final respects to the late statesman. Speaking to journalists after viewing the body, Wajackoyah reflected on Raila’s mentorship and influence in his political journey, saying the ODM leader had been a guiding light. “He has left me as an orphan,” Wajackoyah…
The body of former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga will be airlifted from the Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium in Mamboleo, Kisumu, to his Opoda Farm home in Bondo, Siaya County, for burial. This marks a change from the earlier plan to transport the body by road. The burial program has seen several adjustments over the past few days as preparations intensify for the national farewell. On Saturday morning, Raila’s body was flown from the Kisumu International Airport to the Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium for public viewing. The move surprised many of his supporters who had gathered at the airport expecting…
Trans-Nzoia Governor George Natembeya and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi have paid heartfelt tributes to the late former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga with symbolic gifts to his family in Bondo, Siaya County. Governor Natembeya donated five bulls and 15 bags of maize to the Odinga family at Kang’o ka Jaramogi, describing it as a “humble token” of gratitude for Raila’s immense contribution to Kenya’s democracy and unity. “This is a humble token of my deep appreciation for Raila Odinga’s monumental contribution to our nation, his lifelong pursuit of justice, democracy, and unity among all communities,” said Natembeya. He lauded…
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s wife, Mama Ida Odinga, has arrived at the family’s Opoda Farm in Bondo, Siaya County, for the first time since her husband’s death. Raila, who died on October 15 at the age of 80, passed away in India while receiving treatment. His body was repatriated to Kenya and received by President William Ruto at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on Thursday. Initially, Raila’s remains were to be taken to Lee Funeral Home before being moved to Parliament for public viewing. However, the plans were changed following the large crowds that gathered both at the airport…
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has paid tribute to the late former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga with a symbolic gift of bulls delivered to his ancestral home in Opoda, Bondo, Siaya County. The gesture, deeply rooted in cultural tradition, signified solidarity and respect from Mudavadi and the wider Mulembe community as the nation continues to mourn Raila’s passing. On Saturday, a delegation of elders from the Western region arrived in Bondo to present the animals, describing them as a token of unity and goodwill toward the Odinga family. Clad in traditional regalia, the elders conveyed Mudavadi’s condolences and praised…
Public viewing of the body of former Prime Minister Raila Amollo Odinga has officially begun at the Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium in Mamboleo, Kisumu. The exercise started after a brief delay caused by a minor disruption at the venue, which was swiftly contained by Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo, Interior Principal Secretary Dr. Raymond Omollo, and Deputy Inspector General of Police Gilbert Masengeli. Addressing mourners, Otiende Amollo urged the crowd to remain calm and honour the wishes of Mama Ida Odinga, who had appealed for peaceful and dignified mourning. “Let us respect Mama Ida. If we are not organised, we might…