Siaya, Kenya The late former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga will be laid to rest on Sunday in a private burial ceremony that will be attended by only a small circle of family members and close associates, his elder brother Dr. Oburu Oginga has announced.
The burial will mark the final chapter in the life of a man whose name is inseparable from Kenya’s long struggle for democracy, devolution, and justice. But in contrast to the massive crowds that have gathered nationwide to mourn him, the Odinga family has chosen to make his final resting moment a solemn, intimate affair.
Private Farewell for a Public Figure
Addressing mourners at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST) in Bondo, Siaya County, on Thursday, Dr. Oginga who also serves as Siaya Senator and co-chair of the State Funeral Committee said the family had agreed that Raila’s burial would not be open to the general public.
“We will give Raila a dignified send-off, as a dignified son of this land,” Oburu said, his voice heavy with emotion. “The programme will end with a burial ceremony at JOOUST, after which he will be laid to rest next to our parents our mum and dad in a private ceremony attended only by a few people.”
He explained that the decision was meant to ensure that Raila’s final moments are handled with peace, order, and respect, away from the kind of chaotic scenes that have recently marred parts of the funeral programme.
A Family Torn Between Hope and Grief
Oburu also took the opportunity to clarify earlier conflicting reports surrounding the former premier’s death. “We were hopeful that Jakom would recover,” he said, using Raila’s popular nickname. “He was responding well to treatment in India, and we had faith he would come back stronger. Unfortunately, that was not to be.”
Raila Odinga passed away earlier this week after suffering cardiac arrest while undergoing specialized treatment in India. His death sent shockwaves across the nation, sparking an outpouring of grief that transcended political divides.
Since his return to Kenya, thousands have lined streets and stadiums to pay their respects, with processions in Nairobi, Kisumu, and Siaya turning into emotional tributes filled with song, dance, and tears.
State Funeral and National Tributes
According to the State Funeral Committee, a state funeral service will be held on Saturday at Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi, where President William Ruto, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, and several heads of state from across Africa are expected to attend.
Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura confirmed that the service would honor Raila’s life and political journey from his years as a pro-democracy crusader and political detainee to his decades-long role as the face of Kenya’s opposition and later as a government partner in national unity.
The funeral service will include prayers led by the Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK), musical tributes, and speeches from family, friends, and international dignitaries.
After the Nyayo Stadium ceremony, Raila’s body will be transported to his Karen home for an overnight stay before being flown to Kisumu on Saturday morning. A public viewing will be held at Jomo Kenyatta Stadium in Mamboleo, allowing his Nyanza supporters one final chance to pay their respects.
From Kisumu, the convoy will travel by road to Bondo, where Raila’s body will rest overnight before the private burial on Sunday.
The Final Journey of a Political Giant
The late Raila Odinga will be buried in his ancestral home in Kang’o Ka Jaramogi, Siaya County, next to his father, the late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, Kenya’s first Vice President, and his mother, Mary Ajuma Odinga.
For many Kenyans, this moment symbolizes the closing of a historic political chapter that spans three generations from Jaramogi’s role in the independence movement, to Raila’s fight for democracy, to the ongoing leadership of younger Odingas such as Winnie Odinga.
The burial, though private, carries immense national symbolism. “He may be gone, but his vision for a united and just Kenya lives on,” said Governor James Orengo, a long-time ally of Raila, during Thursday’s event. “Baba’s legacy will be written not just in books, but in the hearts of millions who believed in his dream.”
Nation in Mourning
Since his passing, Kenya has been in a week-long period of national mourning, with flags flying at half-mast across government buildings. Condolences have poured in from across Africa and beyond, including messages from former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, and former U.S. President Barack Obama, who praised Raila as a “bridge-builder and steadfast champion of democracy.”
In cities like Kisumu, Nairobi, and Mombasa, candlelight vigils have been held nightly. Streets have been painted with murals of Raila’s smiling face, often accompanied by the words “Baba wa Taifa” — Father of the Nation.
Despite moments of chaos such as crowd surges and even a bizarre bee attack on security officers during the Kasarani viewing the overwhelming atmosphere remains one of reverence and unity.
A Legacy Beyond Politics
Raila Odinga’s influence extended far beyond politics. He was seen as a reformer who dedicated his life to expanding Kenya’s democratic space, empowering marginalized communities, and fighting for fair resource distribution through devolution.
Dr. Oburu summed up his brother’s life best: “Raila gave his all to this nation his youth, his freedom, his wisdom. Now, as a family, we give him the peace he so richly deserves.”
As preparations intensify for the weekend’s final rites, Kenyans are urged to follow the proceedings respectfully and allow the family privacy to bid farewell. For a man whose life was lived in the public eye, perhaps a quiet, dignified goodbye is the truest reflection of his final wish peace.
