5 ways in which Kenyans honoured Raila Odinga
By Joel Masibo, October 16, 2025The death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, prompted an immediate public outpouring across Kenya and beyond.
In the 24-hour period that saw his body repatriated from India, Kenyans have honoured the opposition leader in different ways, such as through state protocols, mass popular turnout, religious and cultural rituals, social media tributes and cross-party condolences.
State honours and official mourning
The government moved quickly to recognise Odinga’s national stature. President William Ruto declared seven days of national mourning and ordered flags at half-mast; the state organised military honours as his body arrived and announced a state funeral with full protocol. Those official acts signalled the state’s recognition of Odinga’s role in Kenya’s political evolution.
Massive popular turnout
Thousands turned out to receive and accompany his remains. At Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) mourners overwhelmed security lines to greet the arriving flight; operations at the airport were temporarily disrupted as people walked alongside the military gun carriage carrying his coffin. A planned public viewing was moved to a major stadium (Kasarani), where vast crowds came to pay respects on Thursday, October 16, 2025.
Rituals and symbolic gestures
Kenyans also expressed grief through familiar, powerful rituals: gun-carriage processions and military salutes at the airport, motorbike and pedestrian escorts from the runway into the city, queues at the public viewing, and religious observances (priests and party officials conducting crosses and prayers during viewings) were done in his respect.
Cross-party tributes
Political rivals and allies alike issued statements. President Ruto, who had recently reached a political pact with Odinga, described the loss as immense; senior officials and former presidents attended viewings or issued condolences. International leaders and regional figures also sent tributes, signalling Odinga’s influence beyond Kenya’s borders.
Social media and grassroots remembrance
Across X, Facebook and WhatsApp groups, Kenyans posted photos, personal anecdotes, short videos and song tributes. Hashtags and online memorials surfaced quickly, replicating the same mix of reverence, anger and sorrow seen on the ground.
Meanwhile, with tributes still pouring in, Raila Odinga will be laid to rest at his Bondo home in Siaya County on Sunday, October 19, 2025.