President William Ruto on Thursday led the nation in paying last respects to former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, in Nairobi.
President Ruto who was in the company for former President Uhuru Kenyatta and Mama Ida Odinga, government officials, dignitaries and the public led in viewing the body of the fallen Prime Minister who passed away on Wednesday October 15 at Devamatha Hospital in Kerala, India where he was undergoing treatment.
The late former Prime Minister, aged 80, suffered cardiac arrest on Wednesday during his routine morning walk at the Sreedhareeyam Ayurvedic Medical Centre. He was administered first aid before being transferred to Devamatha Hospital in Kerala State for specialized medical attention but was pronounced dead at around 9 a.m.
Earlier, the President who was also in the company of former President Uhuru Kenyatta, government officials and dignitaries, as well as the Odinga family members led by Mama Ida Odinga received the body of Raila at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport that was aboard a Kenya Airways flight that touched down at about 9.30 am.
Aboard the plane escorting the body back home, were a delegation directed by President William Ruto to fly to India and ensure repatriation of the remains of the late Raila was seamless.
The team was led by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and included the family of the late Raila, who were led by his sister Ruth Odinga and the EALA Member of Parliament Winnie Odinga.
President Ruto declared seven days of mourning with the National Flag flying at half-mast and also named a committee led by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and co-chaired by Senator Oburu Oginga, elder brother to the late Raila, to prepare funeral arrangements.
A state funeral service is set for Friday October 17 at Nyayo Stadium while the burial is scheduled for Sunday October 19 at the Kan’go Ka Jaramogi family home in Bondo Siaya County.
Since President Ruto’s official announcement of Raila Odinga’s sudden death on Wednesday, tributes have continued to pour in from across the world. The United Nations, African Union, and IGAD were among the international institutions that sent messages of condolence, alongside several Heads of State, including India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Many of the dignitaries who sent condolences have described the fallen hero an icon and a towering father of democracy, a courageous statesman, Pan-Africanist an extraordinary selfless leader, a true son of Kenya, international diplomat and advocate of peace.
“I am deeply saddened by the passing on of my friend Raila Odinga. Raila was a friend of Indian people, our culture and values. The late former Prime Minister strengthened bilateral relations between Kenya and India,” Narendra Modi eulogised.
President Ruto declared seven days of national mourning, with the National Flag flying at half-mast.
By Bernadette Khaduli
