The body of former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga has arrived at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST) in Bondo, Siaya County, for the much-anticipated funeral service. The event has drawn thousands of mourners from all corners of the country, united in grief and admiration for the late statesman.
As the funeral cortege made its way into the university grounds, an emotional crowd erupted into chants of “Baba! Baba!” a title affectionately used to refer to Raila Odinga. Mourners waved twigs, flags, and portraits of the late leader, turning the venue into a sea of orange and national colors.
Security was tight, with the National Police Service ensuring order as high-profile dignitaries, including political leaders, diplomats, clergy, and family members, gathered to pay their final respects. The atmosphere was charged with emotion, as speakers reflected on Odinga’s lifelong dedication to democracy, unity, and justice in Kenya.
Raila Odinga, who served as Kenya’s Prime Minister from 2008 to 2013, was a central figure in the nation’s political landscape for decades. He championed multi-party democracy, devolution, and social equity causes that defined his legacy. His passing marks the end of an era in Kenya’s political history.
JOOUST, named after his father, the late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, served as a fitting venue for the service, symbolizing the Odinga family’s deep roots in education, leadership, and national development.
As the sun rose over Bondo, the mood remained somber yet celebratory—a reflection of a people bidding farewell not only to a leader but to a father figure whose vision and resilience shaped Kenya’s democratic journey.
Raila Odinga’s final journey continues tomorrow, when his body will be laid to rest at his ancestral home in Kang’o Ka Jaramogi.
