Kenya Airways pilot: How we flew Raila's body from Mumbai to Nairobi

Former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga died last Wednesday while receiving treatment in India, an occurrence that shook the country to the core.

The government quickly made arrangements to have his body repatriated back home, and among those tasked to oversee that were Kenya Airways Captain Saviemaria Ondego, and Inflight Performance Manager Jason Mose.

The following day, RAO001, the code name given to the aircraft carrying his mortal remains, landed at the JKIA to thousands of mourners who had infiltrated the airport to mourn him.

While at it, the national carrier and indeed the crew received massive accolades for the job well done.

Speaking to Citizen Digital, Captain Ondego said her day started normally, but the death of Raila changed everything.

"I woke up and went about my day as usual. But my supervisor called me when we learnt Raila has died, and said I was to bring his body back home," she said.

Ondego narrates how the mood in the aircraft was sombre, with Winnie Odinga, Raila's daughter, particularly looking low in spirit.

"It was a very sad day indeed, seeing her having lost her dear father. I really felt for her and the Odinga family.

On his part, First Officer Mose ulogised Raila Odinga as a man who stood for the good in the society, adding that Kenya lost a true statesman and father of modern democracy.

"We were all feeling sad as we repatriated his mortal remains back home. But as the cabin crew we had to do the work bestowed upon us," Mose said.