Over 30 Kenyan leaders to fly to India for repatriation of Raila Odinga’s body

A delegation of more than 30 Kenyan leaders led by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi is set to travel to India to facilitate the repatriation of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s body back to the country.

Speaking to Citizen TV, Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, who is part of the delegation, confirmed the arrangements, saying preparations were already underway for the delegation’s immediate departure.

“There have been some arrangements that have been made for a few of us to travel so that we can bring Mzee back home. We expect that we will be leaving anytime from now,” Senator Sifuna said at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).

The team already at the airport include Cabinet Secretaries Kipchumba Murkomen (Interior), Hassan Joho (Mining), Salim Mvurya (Mining), William Kabogo (ICT), Governors Johnson Sakaja (Nairobi), Ochillo Ayacko (Migori), Gideon Mung’aro (Kilifi), and Migori Senator Eddy Oketch, among others.

National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, Health Principal Secretary Dr Ouma Oluga are also part of the government delegation.

President William Ruto earlier announced that a national committee to oversee the former Prime Minister’s funeral arrangements would be co-chaired by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga, Raila’s elder brother.

The President further revealed that the Indian government had offered to facilitate the repatriation process at Kenya’s request, with a government and family delegation led by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi tasked with coordinating the return of Odinga’s remains.

On Wednesday afternoon, President Ruto declared a seven-day national mourning period, directing that the national flag be flown at half-mast across the country and at all Kenyan missions abroad until Odinga’s interment.

He described the former Prime Minister as “one of Africa’s greatest leaders, a giant of democracy, and a tireless warrior for good governance.”