Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has announced that the government will restrict the number of people allowed to attend the final burial ceremony of veteran opposition leader Raila Odinga at Kang’o Kajaramogi in Siaya County, with only about 500 Kenyans to be permitted at the gravesite during the final rites.
Speaking on Sunday morning at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University ahead of the funeral service, the CS explained that the decision was reached after consultations with the National Security Council and Raila’s family to ensure a peaceful and orderly process.
He noted that crowd control measures were necessary due to the expected high number of mourners and dignitaries attending the ceremony.
He further urged the public to follow the government’s guidelines and respect the family’s wishes during the final burial rites. According to the CS, the controlled access will ensure that the Odinga family has a private moment to conduct their traditional and religious ceremonies without disruption.
“The process for today remains the same, and all events of the service will take place as planned, while security officers are well-prepared and stationed at every required point. I have no doubt that with public cooperation, we will carry out today’s proceedings successfully,” Murkomen stated.
“For the homestead, the number of attendees is limited to about 500 to ensure the family can go through their final rites in peace. I urge everyone to be sensitive and allow the family the space to grieve and complete the burial rituals properly,” he added.
The developments come at a time when there is already heightened security across Siaya County and, in particular, Bondo town, where specialised security units both from the Kenya Defence Forces and the National Police Service, as well as National Youth Service personnel, have been deployed to maintain order and traffic flow.
On Saturday, Raila's widow, Mama Ida Odinga, also pleaded with supporters of the former PM to maintain peace ahead of his burial as mammoth crowds continued to troop into the lakeside town.
While addressing mourners at their Opoda Farm home, Ida stressed the need to maintain calm, emphasising that the ex-PM’s burial had attracted high-profile guests.
Ida noted that chaotic scenes being witnessed in Kisumu at the Mamboleo Showgrounds and Bondo were detrimental to the reputation of the Luo community.
“I want to appeal to our people, we must mourn Raila in peace. It is a solemn occasion. It is not an occasion of confusion,” she noted.
Raila is expected to be laid to rest near his father's mausoleum at Kang'o Kajaramogi, an event that will be limited to the public, with the Anglican Church Bishop David Kodia set to preside over the ceremony.
