Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has announced detailed funeral arrangements for the late former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga, who passed away on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, at the age of 80 while undergoing treatment in Kochi, India.
Odinga reportedly suffered a cardiac arrest within the Ayurvedic facility where he was receiving care. Despite efforts by medics who administered CPR and rushed him to Devamatha Hospital in Koothattukulam, he was pronounced dead at 9:52 a.m. Indian time.
Following his death, President William Ruto addressed the nation from State House, announcing the formation of a national funeral committee to oversee the burial arrangements of the opposition leader and ODM party boss.
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The committee is co-chaired by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga, Raila’s elder brother.
In a statement issued on Wednesday night, DP Kindiki confirmed that the family had informed the committee of Raila’s wish—outlined in his will—to be laid to rest within 72 hours of his passing.
According to Kindiki, Raila’s body is scheduled to depart from Mumbai at 2:00 a.m. on Thursday and arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi at 8:30 a.m., where it will be received by President Ruto and senior government officials.
The body will then be taken to Lee Funeral Home, followed by a state procession to Parliament at noon.
A public viewing will take place at Parliament Buildings from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Thursday. On Friday, a State funeral service will be held at Nyayo National Stadium, with dignitaries from across the world expected to attend.
Raila’s remains will then be transported to Kisumu and later to Bondo on Saturday for public viewing and an overnight vigil.
The final burial will take place on Sunday at the family’s Kango Ka Jaramogi home in Nyamira, Bondo—beside the graves of his father, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, and son, Fidel Odinga.
President Ruto has declared a seven-day period of national mourning in honour of the late statesman. All government flags will fly at half-mast until sunset on the day of Raila’s burial.
In his address, the President announced that the Government of India had agreed to assist in repatriating Raila’s remains following a formal request from Kenya.
A delegation led by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, along with Cabinet Secretaries Kipchumba Murkomen, Ali Hassan Joho, William Kabogo, and Opiyo Wandayi, has already departed for India aboard a Kenya Airways flight.
The team is accompanied by National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah and members of the Odinga family, including Mama Ida Odinga, who are expected to oversee the repatriation process.
As the nation mourns one of its most influential political figures, tributes continue to pour in from leaders across the continent, honouring Raila Odinga’s lifelong struggle for democracy, justice, and unity in Kenya.