A section of supporters gathered outside Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on Thursday, October 16, breached the VIP gates and gained access to the runway moments after the plane carrying the remains of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga landed.
According to videos seen by Nairobileo.co.ke, the situation quickly turned chaotic as the ODM supporters scattered across the airport grounds.
The crowd appeared to have overpower security personnel stationed at the gates, forcing their way into the highly secured area.
The unexpected breach prompted a swift response from the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), with Chief of Defence Forces General Charles Kahariri seen on site attempting to calm the crowd.
The intrusion occurred just minutes before Raila’s casket was offloaded from the aircraft to the gun carriage.
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Moments later, several military vehicles were spotted arriving at the airport, an indication that additional reinforcements had been deployed to restore order and secure the premises.
The body of the late ODM leader arrived in Nairobi ahead of a state funeral programme that is expected to draw massive crowds in the coming days.
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.
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