President William Ruto has declared seven days of national mourning following the death of Raila Odinga.
Raila passed away on the morning of Wednesday, October 15, after suffering a cardiac arrest during a morning walk in India.
"In honor of the life and times of the former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, and on behalf of the grateful nation, I William Ruto, under the authority vested in me as the President of the Republic of Kenya, declare that the nation will observe a period of national mourning from today until sunset of the day of his interment," the President said in a statement.
During the mourning period, all flags will fly at half-mast at State House and all Kenyan diplomatic missions, public buildings and public grounds, all military bases, posts, and stations on all naval vessels in any territory that is considered the Republic of Kenya.
Ruto Sends Mama Ida, Mudavadi and Murkomen to India for Raila’s Repatriation
The Indian government has offered to cover the cost of the repatriation of the body of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga back to Kenya, according to President Ruto.
The President relayed that a special delegation, consisting of top government officials led by the Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, would immediately head to India to facilitate the repatriation.
"The government of India, at the request of the government of Kenya, has offered to facilitate the repatriation of the remains of our former Prime Minister," he stated.
"Consequently, a delegation comprising government officials and family members, led by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, is leaving immediately for India to facilitate proper organisation in the repatriation of the remains of Raila Odinga."
Raila's widow, Mama Ida, Cabinet Secretaries Kipchumba Murkomen and Hassan Joho, National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, Minority Leader Junet Mohamed; and family members Jaoko Oburu Odinga and Kevin Opiyo Oginga will also be part of the delegation.
It is, however, not clear when Raila's body is expected in Kenya.
Raila to Be Accorded a State Funeral
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga is set to receive a State Funeral, President William Ruto has declared.
He will be accorded military honours with State protocols, the President said.
"That Prime Minister Raila Odinga shall be accorded a State Funeral, with military honours and the attendant State protocols being rendered and observed," Ruto asserted.
While he did not reveal the date of the funeral, Ruto disclosed that a high-level committee co-chaired by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and Siaya Senator and Raila’s brother Oburu Odinga, will be responsible for the coordination of the burial.
In Kenya, a State Funeral is a formal and highly ceremonial event organized and funded by the Government of Kenya to honor an individual who has made an exceptional contribution to the nation.
It is the highest level of funeral recognition that the state can bestow, typically reserved for presidents, high-ranking government officials, and other prominent national figures.
In a State Funeral, the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) and the National Police Service (NPS) are involved, albeit in a ceremonial role. Their participation may be seen in gun salutes, pallbearers in ceremonial uniform or military or police escorts.
Another element of a State Funeral is that Raila’s body will lie in State, with Kenyans accorded the chance to view his body in public.
Raila Odinga passed away on Wednesday morning after suffering a cardiac arrest during a morning walk in India, where he had gone to receive medical treatment.