Kenya’s former Prime Minister Raila Odinga was accorded one of aviation’s highest honours a water salute during his final flights this week. The emotional ceremony marked both his last arrival in the country and his final journey home to Kisumu.
On October 16, a Kenya Airways flight RAO01 carrying Raila’s remains from India received a water salute at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA). Two airport fire engines stood on opposite sides of the runway, spraying arcs of water over the aircraft in a solemn and graceful tribute.
Similarly, on Saturday, October 18, when the Kenya Air Force plane transporting his body from Nairobi landed at Kisumu International Airport, it too was received with a moving water salute. The moment captured the nation’s collective respect and gratitude for a man whose life was defined by service, sacrifice, and the pursuit of justice.
A water salute is a special aviation tradition where fire engines spray jets of water to form an archway for a passing aircraft. The gesture is often used to mark significant milestones such as the final flights of retiring pilots or to honour distinguished personalities. Originating from an old naval custom where ships sprayed water to welcome or bid farewell to their crew, it has become a rare and symbolic act of respect in modern aviation.
For Raila Odinga, the salutes were more than ceremonial. They represented a powerful farewell to a leader who devoted his life to democracy and national unity. The sight of water gracefully arching over his final flights signified not only the end of an era but also the nation’s deep gratitude for his enduring legacy.
As the water cascaded down, Kenya watched in solemn reflection bidding farewell to one of its most influential sons.
