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Leaders in Kisumu are appealing for peace and order as the body of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga arrives in the lakeside city on Saturday for public viewing, following chaotic scenes in Nairobi that left at least four people dead.
KISUMU – Leaders in Kisumu have issued a strong appeal for calm and order ahead of Saturday's public viewing of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga's body in the lakeside city. The plea comes after chaotic scenes marred the initial stages of Odinga's homecoming in Nairobi, resulting in at least four fatalities and numerous injuries.
Nyanza Regional Commissioner Flora Mworoa and Kisumu Governor Professor Anyang' Nyong'o addressed the media on Thursday, October 16, 2025, urging residents to honour Odinga's legacy with dignity and avoid confrontations with security forces. Governor Nyong'o emphasised the region's commitment to peace, stating, "The Regional Commissioner has said very clearly that people in this region love peace. Let that be proven on Saturday."
The call for calm follows a tumultuous Thursday, October 16, 2025, in Nairobi, where thousands of mourners gathered to pay their respects to Odinga, who passed away in India on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, at the age of 80 due to a suspected heart attack.
The day began with Odinga's body arriving at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) from India. Despite elaborate state reception plans, crowds overwhelmed security, breaching restricted areas and even boarding the Kenya Airways plane that transported his remains. This led to a temporary closure of the airport for approximately two hours.
The planned lying-in-state at Parliament Buildings was also disrupted by surging crowds, forcing authorities to relocate the public viewing to Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani. At Kasarani, a crowd surge towards VIP areas during the public viewing sparked clashes with police, who deployed tear gas and, in some instances, live ammunition. Reports from various media outlets confirmed at least four deaths and several injuries during these confrontations.
The State Funeral service for Raila Odinga is scheduled for Friday, October 17, 2025, at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi, beginning at 7:00 AM EAT and concluding by 2:00 PM EAT. The service, led by the Anglican Church of Kenya, will feature full military and state honours and is expected to draw regional and global dignitaries.
Following the Nairobi events, Odinga's body will be transported to Kisumu on Saturday, October 18, 2025, for public viewing at Jomo Kenyatta Stadium (initially Moi Stadium) from 9:00 AM EAT to 3:00 PM EAT. A motorcade will then escort the body to Bondo, Siaya County, for an overnight vigil at his rural home. The final burial ceremony will take place on Sunday, October 19, 2025, in Bondo, adhering to Odinga's personal wish to be interred within 72 hours of his death.
Raila Odinga, affectionately known as "Baba" (father) by many Kenyans, was a towering figure in Kenya's political landscape for decades. He played a pivotal role in the fight for multi-party democracy and constitutional reforms, enduring detention and persecution for his activism. Despite running unsuccessfully for president five times, his influence remained profound, capable of mobilising widespread support, particularly from his strongholds in western Kenya.
President William Ruto, who visited Odinga's Karen residence to condole with the family on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, declared a seven-day period of national mourning and described Odinga as "a patriot of extraordinary bravery, a pan-Africanist, and a unifier who prioritized peace and unity over power and personal gain." Odinga's passing leaves a significant leadership vacuum within Kenya's opposition ahead of the 2027 general election.
While the official funeral programme is underway, questions remain regarding the full extent of the casualties from the Nairobi chaos and the precise circumstances that led to the use of force by security personnel. The National State Funeral Committee and relevant authorities are expected to provide further details and investigations into these incidents.
The nation will be closely watching the events in Kisumu and Bondo to ensure a peaceful and respectful farewell for Odinga. The government's response to the concerns raised by the Nairobi incidents, particularly regarding crowd control and accountability, will also be under scrutiny. The long-term implications of Odinga's death on Kenya's political landscape, especially concerning opposition unity and the upcoming 2027 elections, will unfold in the coming months. Dr. Hesbon Hansen Owila, a Media and Political Communications Researcher, has previously highlighted the importance of a united opposition to challenge the current regime's "broad-based aura" and the need for the government to address youth frustration through initiatives like the Nyota Fund.
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