Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga's State Funeral will today be held at the Nyayo National Stadium, where Kenyans, government officials, and foreign dignitaries will have the chance to mourn and celebrate him.
As with all state funerals, six key things are expected to happen at this formal and highly ceremonial event, organised and funded by the Kenyan government.
The first key element is Raila’s body lying in state. This refers to the public display of the body of a deceased national leader or prominent public figure, typically before their funeral.
It allows members of the public to pay their last respects. The body is usually placed in a coffin draped with the national flag, and guarded ceremonially, usually by the military. The body is then put to lie in state at a significant government building such as the Parliament, State House or the Supreme Court.
In Kenya, the bodies of prominent state officials, including former presidents Mwai Kibaki and Daniel Moi and Jomo Kenyatta lay in state at the Parliament Buildings.
On Friday, Raila’s body also lay in state at Parliament Building. According to the funeral program, his body was to lie in state on Thursday, October 16, but logistical challenges that arose during the process of repatriating his body from India delayed this.
Next up is a military procession as a part of the State funeral. The military will escort Raila’s body into the stadium. Also, the soldiers will be expected to be the pallbearers, carrying Raila’s coffin during the ceremony.
While it has not yet been clearly established, Raila may be accorded a gun salute or firing of rifles as a final tribute by the military.
Thirdly, a State Funeral encompasses national mourning, which is currently ongoing. While confirming news of Raila’s death, President William Ruto announced seven days of national mourning.
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.
Also, Ruto directed that state officials remove the flags on their vehicles as a mark of respect towards the former Prime Minister.
The fourth element of a State Funeral is the memorial church service. In Raila’s State Funeral, the Anglican Church of Kenya was tasked with conducting the service.
According to the timetable, the service was to start at 9am and run for strictly two hours till 11am.
Fifth would be an exercise set aside for the conduction of religious and cultural elements, which is expected to run concurrently with the church service. The mix of religion and culture will happen in accordance with Raila’s Anglican and Luo inclinations.
The sixth element of state control is expected to be in place during the service. This means that the government will assume full control of the funeral. This means that all structural, protocol and dignitary arrangements will be under the control of the state.
During Raila's funeral service at Nyayo Stadium, speeches will form another component. These are expected to last roughly one hour and will be given by Raila’s family, President Ruto, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and select foreign dignitaries.
The state funeral is expected to end at midday, after which Kenyans will have the opportunity to view Raila’s body for as long as time allows.
Afterwards, the body will be taken to Raila’s residence in Karen for the night, before departing for his ancestral home in Bondo.
