President William Ruto has announced a seven-day national mourning period following the death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who passed away on Wednesday, October 15.
Speaking during a national address on Wednesday, the President ordered that the national flag be flown at half-mast across the country and in all Kenyan missions abroad as the nation honors one of its most iconic leaders.
In a solemn address to the nation, President Ruto declared that Raila Odinga would be accorded full state funeral honors in recognition of his immense contribution to Kenya's democratic journey.
"In honor of the right honorable Raila Odinga and his immense contribution to the nation of Kenya, I have declared a 7-day period of mourning across Kenya during which the national flag shall fly at half-mast across the nation and in our missions abroad," the President announced.
Demonstrating the gravity of the loss, President Ruto revealed that he had postponed all his public engagements for the coming days.
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"As a mark of respect, I have postponed all my public engagements for the coming days, and I ask all the other public servants and leaders to do the same so we can join the country in mourning," he stated.
The Head of State confirmed that the fallen leader would receive the highest honors befitting his status.
"Raila Odinga shall be accorded a state funeral with all attendant honours," he declared.
President Ruto announced the formation of a high-level committee to oversee funeral arrangements in consultation with the Odinga family.
"In consultation with the family, a committee chaired by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and Co-chaired by Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga has been formed to make the funeral arrangements," the President said.
The committee's composition, bringing together government leadership and family representation through Senator Oburu Odinga, Raila's elder brother, signals the national significance of the funeral preparations.
The President revealed that arrangements were already underway to bring back Raila's body from India, where he passed away on Wednesday morning.
"At the same time, the government of India, at the request of the government of Kenya has offered to facilitate the repatriation of the remains of Raila Odinga," President Ruto disclosed.
He announced that a high-powered delegation would depart immediately for India to oversee the process.
"Consequently, a delegation comprising government officials and family members, led by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi is leaving immediately for India to facilitate proper organization in the repatriation of the remains of our brother Raila Odinga," he said.
In an emotional tribute, President Ruto described the magnitude of Kenya's loss, calling on citizens to unite in mourning.
"Fellow patriots, we have lost a beacon of courage, a tower of principle and the father of our democracy. Let us come together like he has always urged us to do, not as rivals but as brothers and sisters bound by a shared destiny," the President urged. "As we mourn, I call on all Kenyans to reflect on his towering legacy, and the lessons impacted," President Ruto said.
"May his soul rest in eternal peace. May God comfort his family. May God bless Kenya."
Raila Odinga, 80, passed away on Wednesday morning after suffering cardiac arrest during a morning walk at an Ayurvedic treatment facility in Kerala's Ernakulam district, India.
He collapsed and was rushed to a private hospital in Koothattukulam, where he was pronounced dead at 7:22 am. His body remains at the hospital awaiting repatriation.
