The nation held its breath on Thursday morning as Flight RAO001, carrying the body of former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga, touched down at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) shortly before 9:40 a.m.
The Kenya Airways aircraft, which had departed from India earlier in the morning, carried Odinga’s remains, his family, and a 30-member Kenyan delegation dispatched to oversee his repatriation.
As the aircraft taxied to a stop on the tarmac, two airport fire trucks formed an arch of water over the plane a solemn ceremonial salute reserved for national heroes and dignitaries.
The silence at the airport was heavy. Only the whirring of engines and the soft hum of national songs broke the air as mourners watched the symbolic arrival of the man who had, for decades, stood at the heart of Kenya’s political story.
Honoured Arrival
Raila’s daughter, Winnie Odinga, led the family delegation as they stepped out of the plane. Behind them followed senior government officials, family members, and close allies who had accompanied the body from India.
They were received by President William Ruto and Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, who stood alongside members of the Odinga family on the red carpet prepared at the airport’s VIP section.
Kenya Army officers, standing in full ceremonial dress, then draped the national flag over the mahogany casket. Slowly and with precision, the pallbearers lifted it from the aircraft, the flag fluttering slightly in the morning breeze.
The body was carried down the steps to the sound of muffled sobs from the gathered mourners. Many bowed their heads, while others clutched small Kenyan flags close to their hearts.
The moment was both historic and heartbreaking a farewell scene to one of Kenya’s most enduring political figures.
A Nation Watches
In a rare move, Kenya Airways renamed the flight from KQ203 to RAO001 as it entered Kenyan airspace a tribute drawn from Odinga’s initials.
According to the airline, the change was made “to honour and respect our departed leader,” a gesture that stirred strong emotions across the country. The flight quickly became the world’s most tracked on aviation service Flightradar24, as thousands of Kenyans followed its progress home.
For many, watching the plane’s approach symbolized more than just a return; it marked the closing chapter of a life defined by courage, defiance, and unrelenting belief in Kenya’s potential.
Raila, aged 80, passed away on Wednesday, October 15, in the Indian city of Kochi, where he had been receiving treatment for an undisclosed illness.
His death triggered an unprecedented wave of grief across the nation and beyond, with messages of condolence pouring in from leaders across Africa and the world.
The Final Journey Begins
Following the solemn reception at JKIA, Odinga’s body was escorted by military and police motorcade to the Lee Funeral Home. The convoy moved slowly through Nairobi, with hundreds lining the roads to witness the passage of a man they affectionately called “Baba.”
Later, the body will be transferred to Parliament Buildings, where it will lie in state for public viewing as part of a four-day State Funeral programme.
On Friday, the main State Funeral service will be held at Nyayo National Stadium. The event is expected to draw thousands of mourners, including foreign dignitaries, African heads of state, and Kenyans from every corner of the country.
Military honours, religious prayers, and musical tributes are planned to celebrate the life of a man who played a central role in shaping Kenya’s democratic journey.
After the national ceremony, the body will rest overnight at Odinga’s Karen home before being flown to Kisumu on Saturday morning. There, at Moi Stadium, the people of Nyanza will have an opportunity to pay their last respects.
The journey will then continue by road to his rural home in Bondo, Siaya County, where the former Prime Minister will spend the night before his burial on Sunday, October 19.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki confirmed that Odinga will be accorded a full State Funeral, complete with military honours a recognition of his lifelong service to the nation.
Kindiki also noted that Odinga had expressed a personal wish to be buried within 72 hours of his death, a directive the family and State are keen to honour.
End of an Era
As the casket left the airport, escorted by soldiers and dignitaries, it was clear that Kenya was witnessing history. The man who had once been jailed for his beliefs, who had stood up against injustice, and who had come close to the presidency multiple times, was finally coming home for the last time.
For the countless Kenyans who had followed his journey from the trenches of political struggle to the corridors of power this was a moment of collective mourning and reflection.
The arrival of Raila Odinga’s body at JKIA was not just the return of a leader. It was the homecoming of a national icon, a symbol of hope and defiance, and the closing of a chapter that defined Kenya’s modern political soul.
