Siaya County Governor James Orengo has revealed the arrangements for the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s final homecoming in Bondo. Speaking on Saturday, October 18, 2025, Orengo announced that upon arrival, Raila’s body will be taken to his home for a private family gathering, not for public viewing.
“When the body arrives in Bondo, it will be home not for public viewing, but for the family and close relatives,” Orengo stated.
He further explained that a separate location has been designated for members of the public and the community in Bondo and Siaya to pay their last respects. “There is a place set aside where members of the public and the community in Bondo and Siaya will be able to view the body of the late Raila Odinga,” he added.
Earlier in the day, emotional scenes unfolded at the Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium in Mamboleo, Kisumu, where the public viewing of Raila’s body began. Thousands of mourners clad in orange — the signature color of the ODM party — filled the venue as early as 5 a.m., singing liberation songs and chanting “Jowi!” and “Baba!”
The viewing began at 9 a.m. and was briefly interrupted when a group of leaders crowded near the dais, blocking the procession. Security officers quickly restored order, allowing the ceremony to continue smoothly.
The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) had earlier transported Raila’s body from Nairobi to Kisumu aboard a military aircraft, marking the final leg of public viewing before the burial in Bondo on Sunday, October 19, 2025.
Security remains tight, with KDF and GSU officers deployed around the venue to maintain order and ensure a dignified farewell for the iconic leader who shaped Kenya’s political landscape for decades.
