ODM confirms last-minute change to Raila’s body overnight stay at Karen
By Joel Masibo, October 17, 2025The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has announced a change in the funeral program of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
In a press release issued by the party’s Director of Communications, Philip Etale, on Friday, October 17, 2025, the national funeral committee stated that the body of the late Raila Odinga will no longer be taken to his Karen residence for an overnight stay as earlier planned.
According to the statement, the decision was reached due to unavoidable circumstances that have affected the initial arrangements.
“The national funeral committee wishes to announce to the public that due to unavoidable circumstances, the body of the late Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga will not be taken to his Karen residence for overnight stay as earlier planned,” the release read in part.
ODM clarified that after the ongoing public viewing at the Nyayo National Stadium, the body will be returned to the Lee Funeral Home for preservation. It will remain there in readiness for airlifting to Kisumu on Saturday morning, October 18, 2025.
The committee expressed regret over the last-minute change and apologised to the public for any inconvenience caused by the adjustment in the schedule. Public viewing of the late Raila’s body began earlier on Friday, October 17, 2025, at the Nyayo National Stadium, attracting thousands of mourners from across the country who turned up to pay their last respects to the veteran politician and long-serving opposition leader.
Raila Odinga, who passed away in India on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, is set to be flown to Kisumu ahead of burial arrangements in his rural home in Bondo, Siaya County, on Sunday, October 19, 2025.
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