The Kenya Airways plane dispatched to India on Wednesday evening to repatriate the body of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has made global headlines, becoming the world’s most tracked flight on Flightradar24, a popular live flight tracking platform.
Shortly after departing Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi at 6:30 p.m., the KQA202 flight en route to Mumbai, India, ranked as the second-most tracked flight globally. By midnight (EAT), it had risen to the top spot, with over 7,000 users monitoring its journey.
The plane touched down in Mumbai at approximately 1:00 a.m. on Thursday, East Africa Time, and departed for Nairobi shortly after 3:30 a.m. The return leg, flight KQA203, was being tracked by more than 5,000 people at 7:00 a.m., according to Flightradar24 data.
In an update issued at 8:00 a.m., Kenya Airways (KQ) announced that upon entering Kenyan airspace, the flight number would change from KQ203 to RAO001 in honor of the late leader.
KQ203 will change to RAO001 as soon as we reach Kenya airspace at around 8:50 a.m. to honor and respect our departed leader. ETA at JKIA is 9:30 a.m.
Airlane statement National Mourning Declared for Raila Odinga
The death of Raila Amolo Odinga, aged 80, has sent shockwaves across the nation. He passed away in the Indian city of Kochi, where he had been undergoing treatment for an undisclosed illness.
President William Ruto has since declared a seven-day national mourning period, during which the Kenyan flag will be flown at half-mast in memory of the former Prime Minister. Odinga, also the long-serving leader of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), will be accorded a state funeral with full honors.
State Funeral Programme: A Four-Day Tribute to a National Icon
According to the official four-day funeral program released by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, the following events are scheduled:
- Thursday:
President Ruto, along with Odinga’s family, will receive the body at JKIA.
It will be transported to the Lee Funeral Home, then moved to Parliament Buildings in Nairobi for public viewing from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Friday:
A state funeral service will be held at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi.
After the service, the body will be taken to his Karen home for an overnight stay.
- Saturday:
The body will be flown to Kisumu for a public viewing at Moi Stadium.
Later, it will travel by road to Bondo, where it will rest overnight.
- Sunday:
The final interment will take place in Bondo, in accordance with Odinga’s wishes to be buried within 72 hours of his passing.
A Nation in Mourning
Raila Odinga’s passing marks the end of an era in Kenyan politics. Revered for his contribution to democracy and national unity, Odinga’s final journey is being followed not just in Kenya, but across the world
