To oversee the funeral arrangements, the Head of State has constituted a National Funeral Steering Committee co-chaired by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and Siaya Senator Dr Oburu Oginga, Raila’s elder brother. The committee will liaise with the Odinga family and relevant government agencies to ensure a dignified farewell befitting the former Prime Minister
By Weekly Vision Reporter
President William Ruto has announced that the late former Prime Minister and ODM leader, Raila Amolo Odinga, will be accorded a State funeral with full military honours, following his demise at a hospital in India due to cardiac arrest.
Addressing the nation from State House, Nairobi, yesterday afternoon, after chairing an extraordinary meeting of the National Security Council and later a special Cabinet session, President Ruto described Raila Odinga as a “towering statesman whose immense contribution to Kenya’s democratic journey will forever be remembered.”
The President declared that the country will observe a national period of mourning beginning Wednesday, 15 October, until sunset on the day of Raila’s interment.
“In honour of our departed leader, I have directed that the national flag be flown at half-mast across the Republic of Kenya and in all our diplomatic missions abroad during this period,” said President Ruto.
According to the presidential proclamation, the flag will be lowered at State House, all public buildings and grounds, military bases, posts, and stations, and aboard Kenyan naval vessels.
In line with established State protocol, the President further directed that the Deputy President, Prime Cabinet Secretary, Chief Justice, Cabinet Secretaries, Speakers of the National Assembly and the Senate, Kenya’s diplomats abroad, and all persons authorised by law shall not fly the national flag on their official vehicles until the mourning period concludes.
President Ruto also confirmed that, at Kenya’s request, the Government of India has agreed to facilitate the repatriation of Raila’s remains. Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi will depart for New Delhi to coordinate the process and accompany the body back home.
To oversee funeral arrangements, the Head of State has constituted a National Funeral Steering Committee, co-chaired by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and Siaya Senator Dr Oburu Oginga, Raila’s elder brother. The committee will liaise with the Odinga family and relevant government agencies to ensure a dignified farewell befitting the former Prime Minister.
Further details regarding the funeral programme, including the date and venue of interment, will be communicated in due course.
Raila Odinga, 80, was one of Kenya’s most influential political figures, having served as Prime Minister from 2008 to 2013 under the Grand Coalition Government. His political career spanned over four decades, during which he championed democratic reforms and played a central role in shaping Kenya’s post-independence political landscape.
