Welcome to our live updates as Raila Odinga’s body arrives in Kenya ahead of a four-day funeral programme.
We will be documenting all the events of today, Thursday, October 16, as the nation mourns the late statesman.
Raila’s Farewell Updates: Thursday, October 16, 2025
"I thank you, fellow citizens, for turning out in great numbers to welcome Hon Odinga home. The outpouring of love and affection you have shown is a powerful reminder that he was, to the very end, a man of the people - devoted, selfless, and true to the ideals of our Republic"
-> President William Ruto
7:49 pm
An excavator breaks ground at the Kang'o ka Jaramogi in Bondo, where the grave is being prepared ahead of Raila Odinga's burial on Sunday.
7:31 pm
Gor Mahia FC appoints Deputy Patron Eliud Owalo as their acting Patron following the passing of Raila Odinga, the club's executive committee announces.
7:17 pm
Raila Odinga to be laid to rest in a private burial ceremony attended by only a few people, his elder brother Oburu Oginga announces.
6:46 pm
The public viewing of Raila's body continues as nightfall sets in.
5:45 pm
Public viewing continues as mourners exit the stadium to view the body placed outside the stadium.
5:17 pm
The stadium is filled with wails and chants as mourners await directions on how to view the body.
5:11 pm
The casket is closed and is being moved after dignitaries finish viewing the body in the inner chambers of the stadium.
4:51 pm
Chief of Staff Felix Koskei leads the executive, followed by cabinet secretaries including Opiyo Wandaya, Hassan Joho, Aden Duale and Kipchumba Murkomen among others. ODM party officials follow the executive, including deputy party leaders Geoffrey Osotsi and Simba Arati, Junet Mohamed, Edwin Sifuna, James Orengo among others. Members of Parliament next.
4:47 pm
Former president Uhuru Kenyatta views Raila's body after family. He is followed by top security officials, including CDF Charles Kanyi and the three commanders of the KDF.
4:40 pm
The viewing of Raila's body begins - President Ruto starts, followed by Mama Ida and her children.
4:38pm
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta also at Kasarani to mourn with Raila's family members: his wife, Mama Ida Odinga, and their children, Raila Odinga Jr., Winnie Odinga, and Rosemary Odinga.
4:37pm
President William Ruto leads Kenyans in viewing the body of Raila Odinga at Kasarani stadium.
4: 21 pm
Tomorrow, a memorial service for the late Raila Odinga will be held at Nyayo National Stadium. On Saturday, his body will be flown to Kisumu for a public viewing at the Jomo Kenyatta Stadium in Mamboleo. On Sunday, a funeral service will be held at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University ahead of his burial at the family home in Kang'o Ka Jaramogi.
4:06 pm
Oburu Odinga, Raila Odinga’s elder brother, arrives at Raila’s home in Bondo, Opoda Farm, to lead preparations ahead of Raila’s burial on Sunday.
3:53 pm
Calm restored at Kasarani stadium as a few mourners get back into the stadium; playing area/the pitch cleared with security officers keeping guard. Viewing yet to begin.
3:19 pm
Scores feared injured in the stampede that ensued as mourners were forced to evacuate the stadium, which was packed with Kenyans filling both the stands and the playing area.
4:04 pm
Raila Odinga’s brother, Oburu Odinga, arrives at Bondo in preparation for Raila’s burial, which will be held on Saturday.
3:14 pm
Security officers clear the stadium, forcing mourners to get outside the stadium ahead of start of the viewing.
3:12 pm
Mourners scatter at Kasarani as security officers fire tear gas; the stadium clears as people rush outside. The body viewing has not yet begun.
3:03 pm
National Assembly majority leader Kimani Ichung'wah pleads with Kenyans to allow Mama Ida Odinga view her husband's body; says it's 3pm, the body arrived at 9 o'clock, and she is has still not been able to view the body.
2:45 pm
Bees attack security officers manning entrance of Kasarani stadium forcing them to scamper; crowd settles inside stadium as they await presentation of the body.
2.41 pm
The body is removed from the carriage and carried into the stadium.
2:37 pm
National Assembly Minority Whip Millie Odhiambo among mourners outside the stadium, hangs on her car leading chants.
2:33 pm
Thousands of Kenyans throng Kasarani Stadium, which is already full, with more people still outside accompanying the procession. The crowd is chanting as the procession slowly makes its way towards the stadium entrance.
2:25 pm
The procession is within the Kasarani Stadium compound, but has not yet entered the stadium. It is slowly making its way towards the entrance, surrounded by mourners who are shouting and forcing it to stop temporarily.
2:11 pm
The procession arrives at Kasarani Stadium ahead of the public viewing. The stadium is already full, with mourners filling the stands and spilling into the playing area.
2:01 pm
The procession arrives at the TRM roundabout on Thika Road, makes turn towards Kasarani stadium; slows down again as the crowd accompanying it grows.
Raila’s State Funeral: Full Timetable for Friday and Saturday
1:51 pm
The procession accompanying Raila's body gets to Thika Road enroute to Kasarani; boda boda riders lead the way as the motorcade speeds up.
1:35 pm
PLP leader Martha Karua arrives at Lee Funeral Home as mourners mill around the funeral home awaiting arrival of Raila’s body.
1:27 pm
ODM party officials including secretary general Edwin Sifuna and deputy party leader Abdulswamad Nassir arrive at Kasarani as mourners continue to throng the stadium.
1.20 pm
Hundreds of mourners throng Thika Road as they head to Kasarani for the public viewing of Raila’s body. The procession from JKIA is at the Standard Group HQ area moving slowly towards the City Centre.
Kenyans at Kasarani stadium's pitch as they await the public viewing of Raila Odinga's body pic.twitter.com/6AbaktK3bw
— Kenyans.co.ke (@Kenyans) October 16, 2025
1:03 pm
Health CS Aden Duale, Deputy Chief of Staff Josphat Nanok among dignitaries already at Karasani stadium ahead of public viewing of Raila Odinga's body.
12:54 pm
The procession joins the Nairobi Expressway at the Eastern Bypass entry, with mourners now on both Mombasa Road and the Expressway.
12:46 pm
The procession carrying Raila's body from JKIA stops temporarily in the Imara Daima area as the crowd grows.
12:33 pm
Mourners start streaming into the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, after the government announced that Raila’s body would be publicly viewed at the stadium instead of Parliament Buildings.
12:33 pm
Mourners turn up in huge numbers to accompany Raila’s body from JKIA. The procession is moving slowly, with the city centre-bound section of Mombasa Road completely blocked.
12:17 pm
Police officers and crowds mill around Lee funeral home as Raila’s body leaves JKIA.
11:33 am
The government has moved the Saturday public viewing of Raila Odinga's body from Moi Stadium in Kisumu to Mamboleo Stadium.
11:20 am
The public viewing of Raila Odinga's body moved from Parliament buildings to Kasarani Stadium after masses gathered at the precincts, while thousands showed up to escort the body from JKIA.
10:58 am
Thousands have poured into the Parliament buildings, completely blocking Parliamentary Road, as MPs attempt to calm the crowds down.
10:33 am
The body of Raila Odinga is slowly making its way out of the JKIA, escorted by thousands who breached the gates of the VIP section.
9:39 am
RAO001 lands at JKIA, bringing the body of the late Prime Minister home from India.
9:16 am
President Ruto and retired President Uhuru Kenyatta join Mama Ida Odinga, her family and other leaders at JKIA to receive the body of Raila Odinga.
9:05 am
The ODM Executive Council appoints Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga as acting party leader, pending a final decision by the top party organ, following Raila Odinga's death.
8:55 am
Kenya Airways renames KQ 203, the plane ferrying Raila's body to Kenya, RAO001, as it enters Kenyan airspace.
8:33 am
Security has been heightened at JKIA, Nairobi, as Kenyans head to the airport to receive Raila Odinga’s body, transport it to Lee Funeral Home, and then lay it in state at the Parliament buildings.
7:41 am
Raila's body is to arrive at JKIA at 9:30am, to be received by President Ruto and Raila's family.
7:28 am
The government declares Friday, October 17, a public holiday in honour of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
