By Our Reporter
The body of the late Raila Odinga has been secured in India and is set to arrive in Kenya on Thursday morning, according to a statement issued by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi. The Kenyan delegation, led by Mudavadi, arrived in India to oversee the final repatriation arrangements.
Speaking on-site, Mudavadi announced that all necessary protocols had been completed to facilitate the return of Odinga’s remains. He described the moment as a solemn but dignified step in honouring a man he called “a great son of Kenya.”
The aircraft transporting Odinga’s body is expected to touch down at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) at 9:30 am on Thursday. President William Ruto is scheduled to receive the body upon arrival, along with other top government officials and members of Odinga’s family.
The Kenyan flag-draped casket was surrounded by dignitaries and officials at the airport in India, capturing the emotional atmosphere as the country begins formal mourning for one of its most influential political figures.
Odinga, a long-serving opposition leader and former Prime Minister, had travelled to India for a private visit when he passed away. His death has sparked an outpouring of condolences from across the political divide and the East African region.
Government officials confirmed that a detailed funeral program will be released in the coming days. The state is expected to give him full honours in recognition of his decades-long service to the nation and his pivotal role in shaping Kenya’s democratic journey.
In Nairobi, security and logistics teams are preparing for a large-scale public reception and mourning period. Citizens are expected to gather in large numbers at designated areas to pay their respects.
Religious and community leaders have also joined in the preparations, calling on the nation to come together in unity during this moment of collective grief. They urged Kenyans to honour Odinga’s memory by upholding peace and the values he stood for.
As the body returns home, Kenya prepares to bid farewell to one of its most iconic and influential public servants — a man whose life was marked by resilience, political courage, and unwavering commitment to democratic ideals.
