President William Ruto has declared a seven-day period of national mourning following the death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga. During this time, the national flag will fly at half-mast across Kenya and in all the country’s diplomatic missions abroad.
Speaking at State House on Wednesday, President Ruto described Odinga as a statesman who dedicated his life to fighting for Kenya’s freedom and democracy.
“In honour of the Rt Honorable Raila Odinga’s extraordinary contribution to our nation, I have declared a seven-day period of national mourning, during which the national flag shall fly at half-mast across the Republic of Kenya and all our missions abroad,” Ruto announced.
He extended his condolences to the Odinga family, saying the entire nation stands with them during this time of grief.
“As a mark of respect, I have postponed all my public engagements for the coming days and I ask all other public servants and leaders to do the same so that we can join the nation in this period of mourning and deep reflection,” he added.
President Ruto said his deputy, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki, will lead the funeral committee, while Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi will travel to India to coordinate the repatriation of Odinga’s remains.
Earlier, Ruto had visited the Odinga family at their Karen home to personally convey his condolences.
Odinga, 80, died in India after suffering a heart attack while receiving treatment at the Koothattukulam Sreedhareeyam Ayurveda Hospital in Ernakulam. According to medical officials, he collapsed during a morning walk and was pronounced dead at Devamatha Hospital in Koothattukulam. His body is currently preserved at the facility as the family prepares an official statement.
Wiper Party leader and Kenya’s tenth Vice President Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka also paid tribute to Odinga, describing him as the “Champion of Kenya’s Second Political Liberation.”
Kalonzo said he received the devastating news upon arriving in London for a 10-day visit, which he has since postponed in honour of his fallen comrade.
“Baba was more than an enigma. He was a force of nature who kept going despite the hurdles before him. He was the longest-suffering political detainee in Kenya whose body bore the scars of the struggle for multiparty democracy,” Kalonzo said in his tribute.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua also eulogized Odinga as “the father of Kenya’s democracy” and “a formidable hero of the country’s second liberation,” while several other leaders both locally and abroad have continued to send their condolences.
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