Hundreds of Raila Odinga’s supporters gathered outside Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on Thursday morning as the nation prepared to receive the body of the former Prime Minister.
Dressed predominantly in orange, many supporters could be seen lining the airport road in emotional scenes that reflected the deep sense of loss among his followers.
Some mourners wailed uncontrollably, chanting Raila’s name and songs of remembrance, while others waved flags and portraits of the late leader.
A section of the supporters could also be seen cheering military personnel accompanying the gun carriage that will transport Raila’s body from JKIA to the Lee Funeral Home.
Earlier Thursday, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi announced that Raila's body is expected to arrive at the JKIA at 9:30 a.m.
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Mudavadi, who is leading a Kenyan delegation tasked with facilitating the repatriation of Raila, said all the preparations have been completed.
The Prime CS noted that upon arrival at JKIA, Raila’s body will be received by President William Ruto.
"Arrived safely in India with the Kenyan delegation to facilitate the repatriation of the body of the late Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga. We have secured his body, and preparations are complete for his return home.
"The aircraft carrying the body of this great son of Kenya is scheduled to land at JKIA at 9:30 am on Thursday, where he will be received by H.E. President William Ruto and the nation he so dearly loved. May his journey home unite us in reflection, respect, and shared love for our country," he said.
Meanwhile, on Wednesday, October 15, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki announced the official four-day State Funeral programme for Raila.
Kindiki, who is also the chair of the State Funeral Committee for Raila, said the former Prime Minister's burial will take place on Sunday, October 19, at his Opoda farm in Bondo, Siaya County.
According to the programme, the body of Raila will arrive in Nairobi from India, where it will be received by Ruto.
From there, it will be taken to Lee Funeral Home at 10am before being moved to Parliament Buildings between 12pm and 5pm for public viewing.
In the evening, the body will return to Lee Funeral Home for overnight preservation.
Kindiki said the State Funeral will officially begin on Friday, October 17, with a national service at Nyayo Stadium, which will bring together dignitaries from across the world to honour the former Prime Minister.
"On Friday from 8am, there will be a state funeral service of the late Raila Odinga at Nyayo Stadium. This state funeral service is expected to be attended by dignitaries and VVIPs from outside Kenya.
"It is a state event and it will be conducted in accordance with the protocols of state events to give respect to the stature of our fallen hero," he said.
Kindiki added that after the service, the body will be taken to the family’s Karen home for an overnight stay, marking the conclusion of the Nairobi segment of the funeral programme.
On Saturday, October 18, the DP said Raila's body will leave for Kisumu where there will be a public viewing at Moi Stadium between 9am and 3pm.
"That state funeral service once concluded, will then lead to the body being moved to the Karen home of Raila Odinga for an overnight stay.
"On Saturday, the body will leave Nairobi for Kisumu early in the morning. There shall be public viewing of the body of the late Prime Minister at Moi Stadium in Kisumu between 9am and 3pm after which the body will travel by road from Kisumu City to Bondo for an overnight stay," he added.
Kindiki confirmed that the burial ceremony on Sunday will be conducted by the Anglican Church in accordance with Raila's faith and family traditions.
"The burial of the late Prime Minister Raila Odinga will take place on Sunday and will be conducted according to the traditions of the Anglican Church to which Raila Odinga belonged. I pray that we will all give the family the dignity they deserve, even as they struggle to bear with the moment of grief," he stated.
Kindiki further revealed that the government has respected Odinga’s personal wish to be buried within 72 hours of his death.
"In that connection, public grieving spaces will be created in various places, especially within Nairobi and also other areas, as will be announced, where members of the public can follow proceedings on big screens and participate in grieving and mourning our departed leader," he further said.
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