Last-minute change as Raila’s body is airlifted to Mamboleo from Kisumu Airport
By Joel Masibo, October 18, 2025There was a last-minute change in the transportation of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s body from the Kisumu International Airport to the Mamboleo Grounds within the city’s outskirts, denying thousands of mourners who had lined up the road a chance to accord the fallen hero their last respect.
Initially, the body of the former premier and ODM leader was to go by road to Mamboleo; however, shortly after the aircraft bearing his remains touched down at the airport on Saturday morning, October 18, 2025, Raila Odinga’s remains were then loaded onto a waiting military helicopter to Mamboleo for public viewing.
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. 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 in Kisumu
Security operations have been intensified in Kisumu and Bondo, with coordination between national security agencies, local leaders, and volunteers. Roads leading to Mamboleo have been cleared and secured, while thousands of mourners from the Nyanza region and other parts of the country are expected to gather for the viewing. Authorities have appealed for order and early arrival to ensure smooth proceedings throughout the day.
Meanwhile, ahead of the public body viewing exercise, Raila Odinga’s elder brother and Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga has condemned the teargassing incident witnessed at Kasarani Stadium during the public viewing and appealed for calm and dignity as Kenyans prepare to receive the body of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga in Kisumu on Saturday.
Speaking during a press briefing on Friday, October 17, 2025, Oburu called on mourners to uphold peace and respect as they pay their final respects to a man he described as deeply loved by his people.
“I appeal to our people to be peaceful. I know the pain you feel, but this is not the time to do anything that could cause harm to our people,” Oburu said, his tone heavy with emotion. “We want to behave with dignity. We want our people to respect this occasion because Raila loved them so much, and they should also treat his send-off with dignity,” Oburu added.