- Raila Odinga’s final journey on earth would not have been complete without his body honoured in parliament
- The deceased ODM leader’s body lay in state in Parliament Buildings Friday morning, October 17, where eminent persons paid their last respects
- President William Ruto noted that the phase was important for Raila sat in parliament for years
The late Raila Odinga’s body finally got to lie in state inside parliament on Friday morning, October 17, ahead of his state funeral at Nairobi’s Nyayo Stadium.
Source: UGC
Raila’s body had been slated to lie there on Thursday, October 16, but the plan was rescheduled after logistical challenges following the multitudes who showed to mourn.
The body, fully dressed in suit and accessorised with an ODM party sash, lay still on a catafalque inside parliament where President William Ruto led other eminent people in honouring the deceased.
The president suggested that Raila’s final journey on earth would not have been complete without his body having a stay in the legislature.
The president noted that in his political life, Raila spared many years to represent the Lang’ata Constituency.
It therefore would be unjustifiable to forego the lying-in-state phase in the course of Raila’s final journey, Ruto said.
“For fifteen years, our departed leader, the Right Honourable Raila Amollo Odinga, served the people of Langata Constituency with unwavering dedication and distinction as their Member of Parliament. It is, therefore, most fitting that he lies-in-state at the August House, granting the three arms of Government – Executive, Parliament and the Judiciary – and the nation a solemn moment to honour, with reverence and gratitude, the life and legacy of a true patriot and statesman,” the president said.
Besides his tenure in parliament, Raila deserved a stately send-off signifying his selflessness in his political career.
The president recognised Raila’s efforts in championing social justie and democracy, and being part of the making of the Kenyan wellness today.
“He was a tireless champion of justice, democracy, and progress, playing a pivotal role in shaping some of the most consequential laws in our Republic’s history, most notably the passage of the 2010 Constitution during his tenure as Kenya’s Prime Minister,” Ruto said.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
