Kenya Airways has announced that the flight transporting the body of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga from India will be renamed from KQ203 to RAO001 once it enters Kenyan airspace at around 8:50 am.
In a statement, the national carrier said the special flight code is meant “to honour and respect our departed leader,” adding that the plane is expected to land at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) at 9:30 am.
The flight carrying Raila’s remains left Mumbai early Thursday morning after the completion of the repatriation process. The aircraft had initially departed Nairobi as KQ202 on Wednesday evening, carrying a government delegation led by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, which was sent to oversee the return arrangements.
The plane’s journey has attracted massive public attention both in Kenya and abroad. According to live updates from Flightradar, the aircraft became the most tracked flight globally, with thousands monitoring its progress in real time. By around 7 am East Africa Time, more than 5,000 users were following the flight. The plane landed in Mumbai at approximately 1 am before taking off for Nairobi at about 3:30 am.
Upon entering Kenyan airspace, the flight code will officially change to RAO001 — a symbolic gesture by Kenya Airways to honour Raila Amolo Odinga, who dedicated his life to Kenya’s democracy and unity.
Raila, aged 80, died in Kochi, India, where he had been receiving medical treatment. Reports indicate that he collapsed during a morning routine and was pronounced dead shortly after being rushed to the hospital.
His death has sparked an outpouring of grief across Kenya and around the world, with citizens, political leaders, and global figures sending condolence messages to his family.
President William Ruto declared seven days of national mourning in honour of the late leader and directed that the national flag be flown at half-mast in all public institutions and Kenyan embassies worldwide.
The government has confirmed that Raila Odinga will be accorded a state funeral with full military honours and laid to rest on Sunday, October 19, 2025, in line with his wish to be buried within 72 hours of his death.
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