National Construction Authority CEO inspects finishing touches on Raila’s grave works
By Mabonga Makhanu, October 18, 2025National Construction Authority (NCA) CEO Engineer Maurice Aketch is overseeing the final preparations on the grave of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
The grave digging has now entered its finishing stages, with the excavation completed. Current work includes plastering, building the canopy, and constructing the walls that will support the canopy covering the entire grave.
Engineer Aketch explained that the construction team has been working overnight to prepare the final resting place. Progress has been steady, with the floor prepared, walls being lifted, and finishes being applied to both floor and walls. The team is now in the final stages of completing the site to ensure readiness for the funeral.
“We are very well on course, and the progress is very good since yesterday, of course, as you can see. Yesterday evening, we were preparing the floor down there. Now we’ve lifted the walling, and we are now in the final stages of putting the finishes on the floor and the walls, and then we’ll be done so that we are ready for tomorrow.”
“So this is a very significant moment for us in history, because we are here to witness the construction of this very important facility that will carry Baba for the rest of what we call eternity.”
Regarding the structural safety of the walls, Aketch confirmed that the construction follows all necessary standards. The walls have been built in stages, allowing each section to set before proceeding.
The short height of the walls, combined with their proximity to each other at the corners, enhances structural stability, enabling the team to accelerate the finishing process without compromising safety. Preliminary plastering has been done in preparation for tiling, and the material used ensures adequate support for the canopy.
Burial site identification
The gravesite preparation began after direction from Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga, who visited Kango ka Jaramogi from Nairobi to identify the exact location where the former Prime Minister will be laid to rest.