- Raila Odinga’s body was flown to Kisumu county for residents to view his body at the Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium
- The politician’s family arrived at their Bondo home for the first time since the former prime minister’s death
- When Raila’s body was airlifted to Bondo, his family was the first to view his body, and Rosemary was seen praying next to her dad’s casket
Former prime minister Raila Odinga will be laid to rest in his family’s mausoleum on Sunday, October 19.
Source: Facebook
Kenyans have come out in thousands to bid farewell to one of the greatest democrats to have ever graced the land.
Raila was not your ordinary politician, and it is sad that his death has reminded Kenyans of the love people had for him.
He was a representative of the people, and they held him in high regard. When his body touched down in Kisumu, people were ready to see him for the last time.
Why was Raila airlifted to Bondo from Kisumu?
Thousands filled Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium to give Baba, as they fondly called him, his final respects.
Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo said that his body was to be transported to his ancestral home in Bondo via road, but plans changed when the government opted to airlift it.
He said that the change came after talks between the National Funeral Steering Committee and the Odinga family as a whole.
Omollo said that the move was made because of time, security, and logistical issues, even though many people were still travelling to Kisumu to see Raila’s body.
The government predicted that more people would show up along the Kisumu–Bondo route if the motorcade went by road.
Did Rosemary pray for Raila Odinga?
When the body landed in Bondo, his family was the first to view his body, led by Mama Ida Odinga and Rosemary.
Ida wore a black dress with matching sunglasses. Her daughter, Rosemary, was by her side.
She held onto her daughter as they watched the former prime minister lying inside his casket.
After she was done, Ida made the Catholic sign of the cross by touching her forehead, then her chest.
Ida then signalled her daughter as though she wanted to leave, and then Rosemary put her hands together in prayer.
She was seen praying next to her father’s casket, and her mum supported her. Ida also joined her in the prayers.
Rosemary finished with the cross sign before her uncle took over at the
What you need to know about Raila’s death
Did Ruth Odinga visit her mum’s grave?
In other news, Ruth Odinga visited her mother’s final resting place with a touching message.
She informed her mother that she had brought her son home.
Ruth was inconsolable while relaying the message, and mourners comforted her.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
