By Daniel Bampoe
Kenya is preparing to bid farewell to one of its most influential political figures, Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga, as his body is laid to rest this Sunday, October 19, 2025, in his hometown of Bondo, Siaya County.
The former Prime Minister’s death at the age of 80 has triggered a wave of grief across the African continent, with tributes pouring in from leaders and citizens alike who remember him as a tireless advocate for democracy, justice, and pan-African unity.
A Week of National Mourning
According to the official funeral programme released by the Kenyan government, the late opposition leader’s body arrived at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on Thursday morning, October 16, from India, where he passed away after suffering a cardiac arrest in Kochi.
From JKIA, the casket was escorted in a solemn procession to the Lee Funeral Home and later to the Parliament Buildings, where Kenyans were given the opportunity to pay their respects during a public viewing session from noon to 5 p.m.
On Friday, October 17, a state funeral service will be held at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi, expected to draw local and international dignitaries, including African heads of state.
After the service, the body will be taken to his Karen residence for an overnight vigil attended by family, close associates, and political allies.
The farewell journey continues on Saturday, October 18, when the body will be flown to Kisumu for another public viewing at Moi Stadium from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., before making its final journey to Bondo in Siaya County.
The burial service is scheduled for Sunday morning at 9 a.m., marking the end of an era for Kenya’s political landscape.
African Leaders Pay Tribute
Across the continent, the death of Raila Odinga has been described as a monumental loss for Africa’s democratic movement.
President John Dramani Mahama led tributes, calling Odinga’s passing “a sad loss to Kenya, Africa and the world.”
In a statement posted on his official Facebook page, Mahama expressed his condolences to President William Ruto, Mama Ida Odinga, and the people of Kenya.
He praised Odinga’s lifelong dedication to the cause of democracy, describing him as “a resilient voice for multiparty politics and social justice who inspired generations of African leaders.”
Former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo also joined the chorus of mourning voices, recalling his personal friendship with the late Kenyan statesman.
In a heartfelt message, Akufo-Addo described Odinga as “a great son of Africa and a visionary leader whose footprints on Kenya’s stability and democratic history will remain indelible.”
He recounted Odinga’s role in strengthening continental cooperation, including his 2024 visit to Ghana during his campaign for the position of Chairperson of the African Union Commission.
“We shared mutual values on strengthening democracy and advancing the human rights of Africa’s citizens,” Akufo-Addo wrote, adding that Odinga’s presence at his own presidential inauguration in 2017 was a testament to their bond and shared ideals.
The Legacy of a Relentless Reformer
Raila Odinga’s political life spanned more than four decades of Kenya’s turbulent democratic journey.
Born into a political dynasty as the son of Kenya’s first Vice President, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, Raila rose to become one of the most recognizable figures in African politics.
His relentless push for constitutional reform and good governance shaped Kenya’s modern democratic institutions.
He played a central role in ending the one-party rule in the early 1990s, helping to usher in multiparty democracy.
His leadership in the aftermath of the disputed 2007 elections — one of the darkest chapters in Kenya’s history marked by post-election violence — led to the formation of a power-sharing government in 2008, where he served as Prime Minister.
In later years, Odinga became a symbol of resilience, contesting five presidential elections without victory but earning respect as a statesman who placed national unity above personal ambition.
His contributions to the 2010 constitutional reforms and his Pan-African engagements have been hailed across the continent as exemplary.
