According to the updated programme, shared on Friday, October 17, 2025, the decision was reached due to unavoidable circumstances.
The committee, which is jointly chaired by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and Raila’s elder brother Dr. Oburu Odinga, explained that the change aims to ensure proper preservation and preparation of the body ahead of Saturday’s trip to Kisumu.
“The national funeral committee wishes to inform Kenyans that the body of the late Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga will not be taken to his Karen residence as earlier planned. Instead, it will be returned to Lee Funeral Home after public viewing at Nyayo Stadium,” the statement read in part.
The committee further apologized to the public for the inconvenience caused by the changes. President William Ruto, who earlier paid his respects at Nyayo Stadium, was among the dignitaries who attended the viewing.
Initially, Raila’s body was to be moved from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to Lee Funeral Home when it arrived on Thursday morning.
“The national funeral committee wishes to inform Kenyans that the body of the late Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga will not be taken to his Karen residence as earlier planned. Instead, it will be returned to Lee Funeral Home after public viewing at Nyayo Stadium,” the statement read in part.
The committee further apologized to the public for the inconvenience caused by the changes. President William Ruto, who earlier paid his respects at Nyayo Stadium, was among the dignitaries who attended the viewing.
Initially, Raila’s body was to be moved from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to Lee Funeral Home when it arrived on Thursday morning.
However, that plan was abandoned after massive crowds gathered at the airport and along major Nairobi roads, slowing down the procession.
Due to the overwhelming turnout, the earlier public viewing venue at Parliament Buildings was shifted to Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, before finally settling at Nyayo National Stadium to accommodate more mourners.
The viewing, which was scheduled to begin at midday, started late in the afternoon and extended late into the night.
Due to the overwhelming turnout, the earlier public viewing venue at Parliament Buildings was shifted to Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, before finally settling at Nyayo National Stadium to accommodate more mourners.
The viewing, which was scheduled to begin at midday, started late in the afternoon and extended late into the night.
Reports indicate that chaos briefly broke out at Kasarani before the official viewing began, forcing police to intervene.
Some mourners were injured in the commotion, and according to Medical Services PS Dr. Ouma Oluga, around 100 people received treatment.
After the Friday public viewing, the body will remain at Lee Funeral Home overnight before being flown to Kisumu on Saturday morning, where final ceremonies will continue ahead of the state burial on Sunday.
Many Kenyans continue to gather across the country to pay their final respects to the man whose political journey and resilience shaped Kenya’s democracy for decades.
After the Friday public viewing, the body will remain at Lee Funeral Home overnight before being flown to Kisumu on Saturday morning, where final ceremonies will continue ahead of the state burial on Sunday.
Many Kenyans continue to gather across the country to pay their final respects to the man whose political journey and resilience shaped Kenya’s democracy for decades.
