Ruto Postpones Public Events

President William Ruto has postponed all his public engagements and urged other leaders and public servants to do the same as the nation mourns the death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

Speaking at State House on Wednesday, President Ruto expressed deep sorrow over Odinga’s passing, describing him as a “towering statesman” who devoted his life to Kenya’s freedom and democracy.

“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,” said Ruto.

He announced that Raila Odinga will be accorded a State Funeral with full military honours and the highest level of national respect.

“That the late Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga shall be accorded a State Funeral with military honours and the attendant state protocols being rendered and observed,” Ruto declared in his presidential proclamation.

The President also announced a seven-day period of national mourning in honour of the late statesman. During this time, the national flag will fly at half-mast across Kenya and in all diplomatic missions abroad.

“In honour of the Rt. Hon. 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 stated.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki will lead the National Funeral Committee, while Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi will travel to India to oversee the repatriation of Odinga’s remains.

Earlier, President Ruto visited the Odinga family at their Karen home to personally convey his condolences.

Odinga, 80, died in India after suffering a heart attack while undergoing treatment at the Koothattukulam Sreedhareeyam Ayurveda Hospital in Ernakulam. Medical officials said he collapsed during a morning walk and was pronounced dead at Devamatha Hospital in Koothattukulam. His body has been preserved as the family prepares an official statement.

Born on January 7, 1945, in Maseno, Raila Amolo Odinga was one of Kenya’s most influential political figures and a symbol of the country’s democratic struggle. The son of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, Kenya’s first Vice President, Raila’s life mirrored his father’s unwavering dedication to justice and reform.

He studied mechanical engineering in East Germany, earning a master’s degree in 1970, and later lectured at the University of Nairobi before venturing into business and politics.

Raila’s political career was marked by resilience and sacrifice. Detained for six years over his alleged involvement in the 1982 coup attempt, he endured imprisonment and torture but continued to champion multiparty democracy.

He later founded the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and became a central figure in Kenya’s political transformation. His leadership during the 2007 post-election crisis led to the formation of a coalition government in which he served as Kenya’s second Prime Minister from 2008 to 2013.

Odinga played a key role in the enactment of the 2010 Constitution, which introduced devolution and curbed presidential powers.

He ran for president five times — in 1997, 2007, 2013, 2017, and 2022 — earning the title “People’s President” for his unwavering push for electoral justice and national unity.

In 2018, his historic “Handshake” with then-President Uhuru Kenyatta restored calm and paved the way for the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI).