Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has officially declared Friday, October 17, 2025, a public holiday to honour the life and legacy of the late Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga.
The announcement, made through a gazette notice, comes just days after the passing of Kenya’s political titan, who died on Wednesday, October 15, while undergoing treatment in India. Odinga was 80 years old at the time of his death.
His passing has left the nation in mourning, with thousands of Kenyans pouring into the streets and public spaces, expressing grief and uncertainty about the future of the country’s political landscape.
Burial Scheduled for Sunday, October 19
The National Funeral Committee overseeing the state funeral arrangements has confirmed that Raila Odinga will be buried on Sunday, October 19, in accordance with his family’s wishes and personal instructions.
According to Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, who spoke at a press briefing in Karen, the late Odinga had requested to be buried within 72 hours of his death. Kindiki also reiterated that President William Ruto has granted a full State Funeral for Odinga, in recognition of his immense contribution to Kenya’s democracy.
The late Mr. Odinga will be accorded all the honours of a statesman
Kithure kindikiRepatriation of Odinga’s Body from India
On Wednesday, a Kenyan delegation was dispatched to India to oversee the repatriation of Raila Odinga’s body to Nairobi. The return flight is expected to land at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on Thursday morning, where President Ruto and members of Odinga’s family will be present to receive the body.
From JKIA, the body will be escorted to the Lee Funeral Home, and later in the day, transferred to Parliament Buildings in Nairobi’s CBD for public viewing.
In addition to the capital, the government has arranged public grieving centers across the country to allow Kenyans from all regions to participate in the national mourning.
A Nation Remembers
As Kenya prepares to lay one of its most influential leaders to rest, emotions remain high across the country. Raila Odinga’s decades-long career in politics, civil rights, and national unity has left a mark that few can match.
The coming days will offer Kenyans a chance to mourn, reflect, and celebrate the life of a man who helped
