Minor hitch as chopper carrying Raila’s body takes off with door partly open
By Mabonga Makhanu, October 18, 2025The military chopper carrying the body of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga developed a last-minute hitch when its door malfunctioned and was forced to take off before it could be completely closed.
After the body was placed in the cabin and military officials boarded, the aircraft experienced a brief snag as officers were seen struggling to shut the door, which encountered some difficulties.
This caused a short delay, and the chopper eventually took off without the door being fully secured.
The plane, manufactured by the Russian Kazan Helicopter Plant, is operated by the National Intelligence Service (NIS).
The military chopper was airborne for about three minutes before it finally touched down at Mamboleo Stadium.
This comes after last-minute changes, as the body was initially scheduled to be ferried by road from Kisumu International Airport to Mamboleo Stadium via a gun carrier through Kondele.
However, the funeral organising committee later resolved that the body be airlifted to the stadium for public viewing.
The body left Embakasi Airbase on Saturday, October 18, 2025, aboard the Spartan Kenya Air Force One jet, normally reserved for VVIPs such as the President and top military generals, including the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF).
This was part of the military honours accorded to the former prime minister following the presidential proclamation.
On top of these, he also received a water cannon salute, a tradition that is normally reserved for the members of the aviation fraternity.
It is typically performed to honour a retiring pilot or to mark the launch of a new airline, where two fire engines spray arcs of water over an aircraft as it passes between them.
Public viewing
The public viewing will begin immediately upon the body’s arrival and will continue throughout the day. After the viewing, the body will be transported by road to his Opoda farm in Bondo, where it will spend the night.
On Sunday, the military will move the body to the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST) for the funeral service before proceeding to Kang’o ka Jaramogi in Nyamira Village for the final burial.