Salasya to lead candlelight vigil for Raila Odinga in Addis Ababa
By Kenneth Mwenda, October 18, 2025Mumias East MP Peter Salasya has announced that he will lead a candlelight vigil for the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, starting Sunday.
In a message posted on X on Saturday, October 18, 2025, Salasya said he would join Kenyans and other mourners across the world in honouring the veteran politician.
“I will be leading candle lighting of Baba Raila Odinga from tomorrow in Addis Ababa. I will join fellow mourners globally from Addis Ababa. I had really wished to be present in Bondo; unfortunately, I will be in Ethiopia. Baba Raila, we shall miss you, but it’s well in the Lord,” Salasya wrote.
Raila’s burial is scheduled for Sunday, October 19, 2025, at his rural home in Opoda Farm, Bondo, Siaya County. His body arrived at the family home on Saturday evening aboard a military helicopter after a day-long public viewing in Kisumu. Thousands of mourners gathered at the Mamboleo Grounds and later at Opoda Farm to pay their final respects.
Final farewell arrangements
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, who co-chairs the National State Funeral Committee, confirmed that the final interment service will be held at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., followed by committal, final prayers, and military honours at the Kango Ka Jaramogi gravesite.
Kindiki expressed gratitude to Kenyans for maintaining peace and order during the public viewing exercises in Nairobi and Kisumu.
“The National State Funeral Committee is immensely grateful to the members of the public, security professionals and emergency personnel for managing, to the best possible way, the public viewing of the mortal remains of the departed former Prime Minister,” he said.
Raila’s elder brother, Oburu Oginga, said the burial would be private, attended only by close family and invited guests.
“We will give Raila a dignified send-off which he deserves, as a dignified son of this land. He will be buried next to our mum and dad in a private ceremony,” Oburu said earlier in the week.