Heavy security presence marks Raila Odinga’s historic State Funeral
Audio By Vocalize
By dawn, the expansive grounds were already teeming with mourners—some of whom had spent the night there to secure a vantage point for the day’s proceedings.
Many wore ODM party colours and badges bearing Odinga’s portrait, while others carried placards with personal tributes to the man they fondly referred to as “The General.”
“Raila sokomoko! Raila rwath! Mimi ata sijawai kula tangu Raila akufe,” one mourner cried out, capturing the emotion that gripped the crowd. “We came all the way from Nyeri; we haven’t slept. We had to be in Bondo today,” another added.At approximately 8:50 a.m., the whir of police motorbikes and the flashing of sirens signaled the arrival of the cortege from Opoda Farm, the Odinga family home. The convoy, escorted by a heavy security detail, wound its way along the Bondo–Usenge Road, with Kenya Defence Forces personnel ensuring order and smooth passage through the packed route.
As the hearse entered the university grounds, a wave of emotion swept across the crowd. The Kenya Defence Forces carried the flag-draped casket and placed it upon the waiting catafalque, marking the beginning of a solemn state ceremony—the first of its kind in the Nyanza region since independence.
Inside the grounds, the atmosphere was a blend of reverence and cultural expression. Choirs filled the air with hymns as religious leaders led prayers, while traditional performers added a cultural touch with chants and invocations that electrified the crowd.
Dignitaries including President William Ruto, former President Uhuru Kenyatta, and leaders from across the political divide attended to pay their last respects, each acknowledging Odinga’s indelible mark on Kenya’s political landscape.
Throughout the day, security remained tight, with hundreds of officers from the National Police Service, Kenya Defence Forces, and other agencies maintaining order both within and around the venue.
By 4:30 p.m., the funeral procession departed the university grounds for the final journey to Kang’o ka Jaramogi, where the late Odinga was laid to rest beside his father, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga.
As the casket made its final descent, an overwhelming silence fell over the crowd—an emotional farewell to a man whose influence defined generations of Kenya’s political history.
One last ride, one final salute — Raila Odinga’s loyal supporters came in their thousands for a last glimpse of the man who shaped the nation’s democratic journey. And as he was laid to rest, many here felt that a part of them left with him.
Leave a Comment