The national funeral committee has announced a change in the funeral arrangements of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, cancelling the planned overnight stay of his body at his Karen residence.
The new development was confirmed in a statement on Friday, October 17, by ODM Director of Communications Philip Etale.
"The national funeral committee wishes to announce to the public that due to unavoidable circumstances, the body of the HE. The late Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga will not be taken to his Karen residence for overnight-stay as earlier planned," he said.
Etale noted that after the ongoing public viewing at the Nyayo National Stadium, the body will instead be returned to the Lee Funeral Home for preservation ahead of its journey to Kisumu on Saturday morning.
"Instead, after public viewing that is currently going on at the Nyayo National Stadium, it will be taken back to the Lee Funeral Home for preservation in readiness for airlifting to Kisumu tomorrow (Saturday 18/10/2025) morning," the statement added.
Read More
Elsewhere, Raila's daughter, Winnie Odinga, revealed intimate details of her father's final moments, disclosing that the former Prime Minister died in her arms after completing his morning walk.
Winnie dispelled rumors that had circulated on social media about the circumstances of her father's death, painting instead a picture of a man who remained strong and dignified until his final breath.
"I was with him when he took his last breath. He died in my arms. But he did not die like people have been saying on social media. Every day he woke up and walked. He would do one round. Sometimes two rounds. That morning, he did five rounds," she revealed.
Winnie emphasized that her father's death was not marked by weakness or suffering, but rather by the same strength and determination that had defined his life.
"He died strong and with dignity and with pride. We all must walk with our heads held high, as he left as a gentleman," she added.
On behalf of the Odinga family, Winnie expressed deep gratitude to Kenyans from all corners of the country who had turned out to mourn their beloved leader.
"As a family, we thank all of you from Turkana to Lamu, from Isiolo to the shores of Lake Victoria," she said, acknowledging the nationwide outpouring of grief that had characterized the past two days. "The King is dead, but long live the crown.”
On her part, Rosemary shared a personal account of the moment she learnt about her father’s passing.
She recounted the confusion and disbelief that followed the devastating call from her brother, Raila Odinga Jr.
"I remember the day I received the message. I was seated on the table, just finished my breakfast, and then my brother Raila Odinga Jr. called me, and he asked me where I was. And I told him, I'm seated at the table. And then he asked me to sit down. And I asked myself, do I sit on the floor, or on the table, or the seat at the table is good enough? I was so confused. But then Junior then told me that our father was no longer with us," she said.
Rosemary went on to express the enduring pain her family continues to experience since the passing of their father, describing how his absence has left a profound void in their lives.
"Until today, it is still very difficult. It is very difficult for us to feel like a family. And today, we are here to pray for Kenya and the rest of the world. I want to say thank you very much," she added.
