Eugene Wamalwa leads Mulembe nation in honouring Raila Odinga
By Joel Masibo, October 18, 2025Former Defence Cabinet Secretary and DAP-Kenya party chief Eugene Wamalwa has led the Luhya community in honouring the late former prime minister Raila Odinga traditionally by delivering bulls to the Odinga family.
In a statement posted on his X account on Saturday, October 18, 2025, Wamalwa noted that Raila Odinga did the same gesture in 2003 when the then Vice President, Michael Wamalwa Kijana, passed away.
”23 years ago today, Raila Odinga came in style to mourn his friend Michael Wamalwa Kijana and delivered bulls to our home in Kitale. Today, I lead members of my family, my party DAP-Keny, and the larger Luhya family to Kang’o ka Jaramogi in Bondo to honour our departed hero,” Wamalwa said.
The former CS further noted that the Odinga and Wamalwa families have been close for years, sharing common views on how to transform the country. ”The Wamalwa family and the larger Luhya family have had a long and deep history of friendship, good neighbourliness, and shared values and ideologies towards a better Kenya, which we commit to carry on, even after losing our hero.” Eugene Wamalwa said.
Large crowds
A mammoth crowd in Kisumu converged at 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 body 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.
Security heightened
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.
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.