Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has announced that the State Funeral for the late former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga will be held at Nyayo National Stadium on Friday morning, beginning at 9 a.m. and running for approximately two hours.

Speaking from his Karen residence on Thursday, Kindiki, who chairs the National Committee for the State Funeral, confirmed that the ceremony will be marked by full military honours, a church service led by the Anglican Church of Kenya, tributes from family members, and speeches from both national and international leaders.

“The committee is grateful to the thousands of mourners who continue to honour the late Raila Odinga in dignity,” Kindiki said. “We urge for calm and order as we enter the second day of national mourning.”

According to the Deputy President, the event will begin promptly at 9 a.m., with all guests expected to be seated by 8 a.m. The ceremony will include the lowering of flags to half-mast, a military procession, national prayers, and tributes from global dignitaries a testament to Raila’s decades-long influence both in Kenya and abroad.

Following the official service, a public viewing of the former Prime Minister’s body will continue into the afternoon to give more Kenyans a chance to bid farewell. Kindiki emphasized that this extension is meant to accommodate the overwhelming number of mourners who have turned up in large numbers since Thursday.

“Those who still wish to pay their respects will have the opportunity after the State event,” he assured. “We will extend the viewing period from around noon and allow it to run as long as possible so that all Kenyans can mourn their departed leader.”

The Deputy President also confirmed that several foreign heads of state, diplomats, and dignitaries have already confirmed their attendance, signaling the international impact of Raila’s political and reform legacy.

On Thursday, thousands of mourners were allowed to view Raila’s body at the Kasarani Stadium, where the former opposition leader had drawn massive crowds even in death. However, what was initially planned as a calm procession turned chaotic when anxious supporters overwhelmed security barriers, prompting police intervention.

The government has since appealed for calm, patience, and respect, urging mourners to honor Raila’s memory with the dignity and discipline he stood for.

“This is not just a farewell to a national icon,” Kindiki remarked. “It is a moment for reflection on the values of unity, justice, and service to humanity that Raila Odinga championed for over half a century.”

Raila Odinga, who passed away in India earlier this week while undergoing medical treatment, will be laid to rest on Sunday in Bondo, in accordance with his family’s wishes and the traditions of the African Church. His brother, Dr. Oburu Oginga, earlier confirmed that the family had already identified a burial site close to Raila’s parents, a symbolic resting place beside his roots.

Preparations for the funeral have continued under tight security and coordination between the National Funeral Committee, the military, and church leaders. The two-hour state ceremony is expected to draw thousands of mourners, while millions more will follow the service through live broadcasts across TV, radio, and online platforms.

In what is set to be a historic farewell, Raila’s State Funeral is being described as a blend of military precision, religious solemnity, and deep national emotion a reflection of his enduring influence as one of Kenya’s most respected and polarizing political figures.

As the nation prepares for the final goodbye, tributes continue to pour in from across the world, celebrating Raila’s lifelong fight for democracy, equality, and national unity.

His burial on Sunday will mark the end of an era and the beginning of a new chapter in Kenya’s political history, one shaped deeply by his vision, resilience, and unmatched legacy.