A flag has been stripped from the Deputy President’s vehicle in line with President William Ruto’s directive declaring the next seven days as a period of national mourning for the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

His aide was spotted removing the flag from the deputy president’s vehicle, which is normally mounted on top of government officials’ vehicles as a symbol of authority and status within the government. The flag also serves to distinguish such vehicles from others on the road, signalling other motorists to give way when necessary.

These came after President Ruto, while addressing the nation following the death of Raila Odinga at State House on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, had directed that the late former Prime Minister would be accorded a state funeral with full military honours and all attendant state protocols observed.

The president also declared a seven-day period of national mourning, during which the Kenyan flag will fly at half-mast across the country and in all Kenyan embassies abroad.

The president, who was scheduled for a four-day tour of the Ukambani region, has cancelled his trip to join the nation in mourning the late former prime minister. He has further directed all government departments to scale down operations during this period and dedicate time to mourning Raila Odinga.

Reparations delegation

President Ruto also named a delegation, led by the Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, that will facilitate the proper organisation of the return of the late leader’s body.

Other members of the delegation include Cabinet Secretaries Kipchumba Murkomen and Hassan Joho, National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, and Minority Leader Junet Mohammed, as well as members of the Odinga family: Jaoko Oburu Odinga, Kevin Opiyo Odinga, and Mama Ida Odinga, who will join the team in India.

“At the request of the Government of Kenya, the Government of India has offered to facilitate the repatriation of the remains of Raila. A delegation comprising government officials and family members led by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi is leaving immediately for India to facilitate proper organisation in the repatriation of the remains of our brother, the Honourable Raila Odinga,” Ruto said.

The deputy president has also been tasked with spearheading a funeral committee meant to give the former prime minister a decent send-off. The committee is set to be co-chaired with Siaya senator Oburu Odinga among others.

His death

The former prime minister died while in India, where he had travelled for medical treatment. He was in the company of his daughter and his sister while performing a routine morning walk before developing a cardiac arrest.