KAMPALA – Departed former Prime Minister of Kenya, Raila Amolo Odinga, had wished that he be buried within 72 hours after his demise, but this will now be delayed by a further 48 hours.
Raila will be buried at his ancestral home in Bondo, Siaya County, Western Kenya, on Sunday. This will come four days after he succumbed to cardiac arrest during a morning walk in Kochi, District of Kerali in Western India, where he had been receiving treatment for the last five days.
Kenya’s Citizen TV quoting Indian police said Raila was on an early morning walk with his sister, daughter, and a personal doctor when he collapsed at around 7.45am. He was rushed to a nearby private hospital but never recovered.
Kenyan Vice President Prof Kithure Kindiki last evening told the nation that the government, Raila’s family, and party ODM, would honour Raila’s wishes for a quick burial as far as possible but also expedite the processes that would balance his wishes, that of the family, the family lawyer, the national committee, the Cabinet, and the community.
Prof Kindiki said: “The family and this committee will give respect to the wishes of the late Prime Minister as far as possible, but at the same time accommodate any other nuances and contexts that are important, considering the family, community and society values for which the Honourable Raila Odinga stood for.
“In that connection, it has been decided, therefore, that we will have an expedited process that balances the wishes of the departed Prime Minister, the wishes of his family, but also the community and other imperatives that must be taken into context,” he announced.
Prof Kindiki also said the government last evening dispatched a high-level team to Mumbai in India to repatriate the body of Raila. President William Ruto had earlier in the day announced seven days of national mourning during which all flags in Kenya and its diplomatic missions abroad would be hoisted at half-mast.
Consequently, the national organizing committee on the State funeral of Raila Odinga that incorporates all the interests agreed that Raila’s body would arrive at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi today, Thursday, October 16, at 8am.
President Ruto, the family, and other officials will be on hand to receive the remains of the fallen leader. The body will then be moved to the Lee Funeral Home, and thereafter to the Parliament for public viewing at from noon until 5pm, and returned to the funeral home.
A State funeral service that befits the stature of Raila will be held at the Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi on Friday, and attended by dignitaries from Kenya and abroad. There will then be a wake at Raila’s home at Karen in upscale Nairobi City.
From tomorrow, until internment on Sunday, the government announced public spaces and giant screens would be provided for the grieving public, party supporters, and friends to share in the proceedings. The government also asked the ODM party leadership to work with security agencies to ensure peace, order and dignified emotions during the proceedings and final sendoff.
Raila’s remains will be transported to Kisumu City on the shores of Lake Victoria for public viewing at the Moi Stadium, starting at 9am to 3pm before being moved by road to his ancestral home at Bondo, Siaya County, for an overnight vigil.
Raila will then be laid to rest after the final funeral service and rites at the Anglican church at Bondo, where he professed his faith.
During the same briefing, Raila’s elder brother, Dr Oburu Odinga, the senator for Siaya County, thanked Kenyans for celebrating the life of a great leader, Raila. He said Raila was well and vibrant up to Tuesday night when they last spoke before the heart attack on Wednesday morning.
He said Raila had expressed hope of returning home soon, but that was never to be.
Fare-thee-well Baba Raila Amolo Odinga, Jakom, Tinga.
May your endearments and legacy live with us forever.
