Siaya County suspends official functions following Raila Odinga’s passing

The Siaya County Government has announced the suspension of all official functions following the passing of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, describing the moment as one of profound loss and national grief.

Governor James Orengo said the prevailing circumstances necessitate a review of ongoing county programmes, including the Siaya International Trade and Investment Conference (SITICO 2025), which Mr Odinga was expected to grace.

“The circumstances dictate a review of the ongoing programme of the Siaya International Trade and Investment Conference. As such, all plenary sessions and side events are postponed to a later date as we join the family and the nation in mourning our departed leader. We deeply regret any inconvenience caused,” said Governor Orengo.

President William Ruto has declared seven days of national mourning in honour of the late Odinga and directed that the national flag be flown at half-mast across the country and at all Kenyan missions abroad.

In an emotional tribute, Governor Orengo hailed Raila Odinga as a statesman whose legacy transcends politics.

“Words fail me to express the shock, deep sorrow and immeasurable grief at the news of the untimely passing of my brother, my friend, my party leader — a statesman and a towering figure of Kenya’s second liberation, and the driving force behind the realisation of the 2010 Constitution,” said Orengo.

“Kenya has lost not just a politician, but a revolutionary, a visionary, and a singular force whose shadow stretched across the most consequential five decades of our history. For the people of Siaya, the entire Luo Nyanza region, and the nation as a whole, we have lost our patriarch — the symbol of resilience and a relentless champion of our political and economic rights.”

The county government said further communication on the rescheduled dates for SITICO 2025 and other official engagements will be issued in due course.