The body of Kenya’s former Prime Minister, Raila Amolo Odinga, has been taken to Parliament Buildings ahead of his State Funeral, which will begin at 9 a.m. today, Friday, at Nyayo Stadium.
Key dignitaries, including Members of Parliament and visiting foreign delegations who did not view his body earlier, will have the opportunity to pay their final respects before the funeral service begins.
The late leader’s body will lie in State in line with national protocols reserved for dignitaries of his stature. The honour, which had been planned for Thursday, was postponed after large, unruly crowds disrupted the earlier viewing arrangements in Nairobi.
Security concerns and logistical challenges forced the planning committee to move the public viewing to Kasarani Stadium, where tens of thousands of mourners turned up on Thursday to pay tribute to the ODM leader.
With calm restored, Raila’s body—draped in the Kenyan flag—will now be displayed at Parliament under the protection of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), symbolising the nation’s respect and recognition of his immense contribution to democracy and unity.
Lying-in-State is a formal ceremony in which a coffin is placed on public display to allow citizens to pay their last respects. In Kenya, this honour has previously been accorded to Presidents Jomo Kenyatta, Daniel arap Moi, Mwai Kibaki, and former Vice President Kijana Wamalwa.
The practice, borrowed from the United Kingdom, is typically reserved for sitting or former heads of state, prime ministers, and national heroes. It allows citizens to collectively mourn, reflect on the leader’s legacy, and say a final goodbye.
After the state service, Raila’s body will be taken to his Karen home later in the evening.
Email your news TIPS to Editor@Kahawatungu.com — this is our only official communication channel
