Kisumu was transformed into a sea of emotion and humanity on Friday night as thousands of residents poured into the streets to honour the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga. Just hours before the arrival of his remains, the lakeside city pulsed with sorrow, nostalgia, and deep affection for the man many revered as the face of Kenya’s democratic struggle.
A wave of mourning swept through Kondele, Nyalenda, Kibuye, and the city’s central business district, where supporters lit hundreds of candles in Raila’s memory. The flickering lights illuminated the streets, symbolising both grief and pride for their fallen hero.
Young and old alike sang liberation songs and Luo dirges long associated with Raila’s decades-long fight for justice and reform. Along Oginga Odinga Street, residents held massive vigils, waving flags and carrying portraits of the opposition icon. Entertainment joints across Kisumu stayed open late into the night, as visitors from neighbouring counties filled hotels that had been fully booked in advance.
By dawn on Saturday, October 18, 2025, hundreds had already camped outside the Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium, eager to secure a vantage spot for the public viewing ceremony. Wrapped in party colours and carrying placards with Raila’s image, mourners displayed an unwavering sense of devotion and unity.
Security was tight across the city, with officers from the regular police, GSU, and county enforcement teams manning multiple checkpoints. Barricades were set up along key routes leading to the stadium to control the swelling crowds, while vehicles underwent thorough inspections before entering designated parking zones.
Emergency response teams and ambulances were stationed throughout the city to ensure safety as Kisumu bid farewell to a leader whose influence transcended politics an emotional goodbye to a man many believed was the heartbeat of their struggle and hope for a better Kenya.
