Thousands of Kenyans receive body of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga at airport

Bulelwa Hoala

Thousands of Kenyans gathered at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on Thursday, 16 October 2025 to receive the body of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
Public viewings are being held in Nairobi and Kisumu, with a state funeral scheduled in Nairobi and a burial scheduled in Bondo.
President William Ruto declared seven days of national mourning, ordering flags at half-mast and suspending public engagements.

Thousands of Kenyan supporters flocked to the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport today, 16 October 2025, to receive the body of former prime minister, Raila Odinga.

This comes after Odinga passed away at a hospital in Karala, India, on Wednesday, 15 October, after he collapsed due to cardiac arrest during his morning walk.

He was 80 years old.

According to the BBC, Odinga’s body was flown in from India and was given a water cannon salute upon arrival.

The airport closed operations for two hours while thousands of Kenyans walked in procession alongside the vehicle carrying his body from the runway.

A public viewing ceremony has since been moved to Moi International Sports Centre in Kasarani, Nairobi.

A state funeral with full military honours is set to be held at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi on Friday, 17 October.

Another public viewing will take place in Kisumu, west of Kenya on Saturday, 18 October followed by his burial in Bondo on Sunday, 19 October.

Odinga’s family stated that it was his wish to be buried within 72 hours.

Seven days of mourning

Kenyan President William Ruto on Wednesday paid tribute to Odinga and declared seven days of national mourning.

He ordered that all national flags be flown at half-mast across Kenya and at diplomatic missions abroad.

He also suspended his public engagements as a sign of respect.

Meanwhile, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said Kenya and the African continent have lost a patriotic and selfless leader.

“Raila Odinga was committed to the development of his own nation as well prosperity and the silencing of the guns on our Continent, as evidenced by his appointment by the African Union to advance peace in Côte d’Ivoire in 2010.

“He remained unwaveringly true to his principles and vision in the face of deep personal sacrifice and obstacles and remained a leader who placed the interests of his country and continent first,” Ramaphosa said.

Odinga led Kenya from 2008 to 2013. He ran for Kenya’s presidency five times over 30 years, but never won.

Watch the video below:

Raila’s daughter, Winnie Odinga, arrives carrying her father’s favourite hat pic.twitter.com/0hwYl1S78t

— Daily Nation (@NationAfrica) October 16, 2025