Flight carrying Raila’s body tops global tracking charts
By Kenneth Mwenda, October 16, 2025The Kenya Airways flight carrying the body of former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga from Mumbai to Nairobi became the world’s most tracked plane on Thursday, October 16, 2025, as millions across the globe followed its journey home.
According to live air traffic tracking service Flightradar24, flight KQ203, a Boeing 737-800, topped the global tracking charts with more than 10,800 people monitoring it in real time.
The plane, which left Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport at 6:23 am (Kenyan time), is scheduled to land at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) at 9:30 am.
Earlier, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, who led the government delegation to India, confirmed that the team had secured the former Prime Minister’s body and completed all arrangements for its repatriation.
“We have secured his body and preparations are complete for his return home,” Mudavadi said on X. “The aircraft carrying the body of this great son of Kenya is scheduled to land at JKIA at 9:30 a.m., where he will be received by President William Ruto and the nation he so dearly loved.”
The aircraft’s global attention reflected the depth of emotion surrounding Raila’s death and the scale of his influence beyond Kenya’s borders. Aviation enthusiasts, Kenyans in the diaspora, and ordinary citizens tracked the flight using its tail number as it made its way across the Arabian Sea toward Nairobi.
Raila Odinga, who died on Wednesday morning at Devamatha Hospital in Kochi, India, after suffering a cardiac arrest, was 80 years old. He had travelled to India for specialised treatment but passed away hours after admission.
Nation declares day of honour
The government has declared Friday, October 17, a public holiday in honour of the veteran politician. Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen announced the decision through a Gazette Notice, saying the day would allow the nation to pay tribute to the departed leader.
“Friday, the 17th October 2025, shall be a public holiday in honour of the departed former Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga,” the notice read in part.
Upon arrival at JKIA, the plane will be received by President Ruto, members of the Odinga family, and senior state officials. The body, draped in the Kenyan flag, will then be transported to Lee Funeral Home before being moved to Parliament Buildings for public viewing.
Members of the public will be allowed to pay their last respects between 12 pm and 5 pm, with large screens set up in major towns for Kenyans to follow the proceedings.
On Friday, a State Funeral Service will be held at Nyayo Stadium starting at 8 am, followed by an overnight vigil at Raila’s Karen residence. On Saturday, the body will travel to Kisumu, where it will lie in state at Moi Stadium before proceeding to Bondo for the final burial on Sunday.
President Ruto earlier declared a seven-day national mourning period and ordered flags to fly at half-mast across the country.