Change of venue for public viewing of Raila Odinga’s body in Kisumu
By Mabonga Makhanu, October 16, 2025Raila Odinga’s public viewing in Kisumu has been moved from Moi Stadium to Jomo Kenyatta Stadium in Mamboleo.
This comes as part of a last-minute change, as the viewing had earlier been scheduled to take place at Moi Stadium, Kisumu, but has now been transferred to Jomo Kenyatta Stadium in Mamboleo.
The viewing is slated for Saturday, October 18, 2025, before proceeding to his Bondo home for burial on Sunday, October 19, 2025. The body of the former Prime Minister was scheduled for a state funeral at Nyayo Stadium on Friday, October 17, 2025.
After the funeral, the body was to be taken to his Karen home before being flown directly to Kisumu, where residents of the Nyanza region who have supported him since the start of his political career and that of his father, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, would have the opportunity to pay their final respects.
The overwhelming crowds of Raila’s supporters, who turned out in large numbers and at times bypassed security protocols, have caused several last-minute changes to the earlier programme that had been issued by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and co-chaired by Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga.
Last-minute changes
The public viewing was initially scheduled to take place within the precincts of Parliament, but supporters who were supposed to line up for viewing bypassed security barriers, overwhelming the available officers.
This forced the government to move the viewing to Kasarani Stadium, which has enough capacity to accommodate the huge crowd.
The body was also supposed to leave Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), head to Lee Funeral Home, and later to Parliament within set timelines.
However, due to disruptions by Odinga’s supporters, who showed up in larger numbers than expected and caused a stir at the airport, it was decided that the body would proceed directly to Kasarani Stadium.
Kasarani Stadium is currently out of control, and the military police have been forced to lob tear gas to mitigate the irate supporters wanting to have a glimpse of Raila’s remains.