Crowds surge towards Mamboleo for Raila’s body viewing
By Joel Masibo, October 18, 2025A mammoth crowd in Kisumu was spotted surging towards the Mamboleo grounds on Saturday morning, October 18, 2025, shortly after a military helicopter bearing the remains of the late former prime minister landed for public viewing.
The activity will take place at the venue for the better part of Saturday, before Raila Odinga’s body will be transported by road to Bondo later in the evening for burial on Sunday, October 19, 2025, at his home.
Preparations for the arrival were finalised on Friday, with the Kenya Defence Forces tasked with airlifting the body from Nairobi to Kisumu. According to Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, who chairs the funeral planning committee, members of the public were urged to be seated by 7:00 am to dignify the arrival. Once the body lands, it will be taken to Mamboleo Grounds for public viewing.
There was a heavy presence of security officers from different departments ahead of the all-day public viewing of the late ODM party leader. The military jet carrying the late ODM party leader’s remains touched down at the Kisumu International Airport on Saturday morning, before the body was immediately loaded onto a waiting military helicopter to the Mamboleo grounds, within the outskirts of Kisumu City.
The particular last-minute change of plan forced mourners to move to Mamboleo after they had camped outside the airport waiting to accompany Raila’s body to Mamboleo by road.
No speeches at Mamboleo
Meanwhile, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party earlier on Saturday, October 18, 2025, warned against speeches at their departed leader’s body viewing venue on day three of the funeral program.
”No speeches at Mamboleo Showground. Only viewing. We urge the public to be orderly during the viewing of the body of our leader, Raila Odinga. Maj. General Nyagah — the General Officer Commanding Western Command to lead Raila Odinga’s 3rd Day Program,” ODM said in a statement.
Thousands of mourners will have a chance to give their last respects to the former premier at the stadium for the better part of Saturday before the body will be moved by road to his Bondo home, Siaya County, for burial on Sunday, October 19, 2025. Preparations for the arrival were finalised on Friday, with the Kenya Defence Forces tasked with airlifting the body from Nairobi to Kisumu.