- Mourners gathered at JOOUST in Bondo to pay their final respects to Raila Amolo Odinga, a towering figure in Kenya’s political landscape
- Emotions ran high as leaders, family, and citizens shared poignant moments during his requiem mass and burial at Kang’o Ka Jaramogi
- TUKO.co.ke shares eight photos of the ceremony that marked the end of an era for one of Kenya’s most iconic politicians
Thousands of mourners from Kenya and across the borders gathered in Bondo to bid farewell to Raila Amolo Odinga, a man whose name had long been etched into Kenya’s political fabric.
Source: UGC
From early dawn to sunset, every frame told a story of love, loss, and legacy, marking a day that has left many of Raila’s supporters wounded.
TUKO.co.ke shares 10 emotional photos from the former prime minister’s requiem mass and eventual burial at Kang’o Ka Jaramogi.
1. Body left Opoda Farm for JOOUST
The day started with the convoy leaving Opoda Farm and snaking through rows of mourners who lined the roadside to give their final respects.
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As they waved posters while singing praises for the departed leader, many struggled to hold back tears as the casket arrived at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science at Technology (JOOUST).
Source: UGC
2. Ruto, other leaders attended service
The event drew an impressive assembly of local and international dignitaries, a reflection of the impact Raila had on Kenya’s political and democratic journey.
President William Ruto led the nation in mourning, accompanied by former president Uhuru Kenyatta and Nigeria’s former head of state Olusegun Obasanjo, one of Odinga’s long-time allies.
The gathering was held under tight security, with the Kenya Defence Forces overseeing the ceremonial aspects of the event.
Source: UGC
3. Ruto recounts Raila’s final days
President William Ruto offered a detailed and emotional account of the final days of the former prime minister, revealing the extent of the health challenges that ultimately led to his death in India.
According to the president, Raila had been battling health issues for some time, prompting both family members and Ruto to urge him to prioritise treatment.
He detailed Raila’s visits to medical facilities in Dubai and the United States and to a Canadian hospital also based in the UAE, noting that despite these efforts, his condition remained a concern.
Source: UGC
4. Ruto shares sad day Raila died
Ruto also spoke about a WhatsApp message he received from Raila Odinga Junior on the day the politician passed away.
The late ODM leader died on Wednesday, October 15, in India, where he had been undergoing treatment for an undisclosed illness.
On the morning that Raila died, Ruto received a number of messages before Winnie confirmed that her father was, indeed, dead.
Source: UGC
5. Oburu heaps praise on Winnie
Emotions ran high as Raila Odinga’s elder brother, Oburu Oginga, recalled the selfless devotion of daughter, Winnie Odinga, during her father’s final days.
He told mourners that Winnie was meant to travel to Arusha on the day her father fell sick, but she put everything aside to care for him.
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She accompanied him on the medical journey to India hoping to come back better, but he did not make it.
Source: UGC
6. Crowd wails as body leaves for burial
The air around JOOUST trembled with emotion as mourners broke into heartbreaking wails when Raila Odinga’s casket began its final journey to Kang’o Ka Jaramogi.
Women wept openly, men raised flags high through their tears, and the crowd’s cries echoed across the university grounds.
For them, the harsh reality was dawning that it was the last time they were seeing the body of the man they had adored for decades.
Source: Facebook
7. Raila buried with his beloved hat, flywhisk
Raila was buried at Kang’o Ka Jaramogi in a private ceremony attended by family and friends from the political class.
The beloved politician was accorded a 17-gun salute by the Kenya Defence Forces after his body was lowered to the grave.
Raila was buried with two of his favourite possessions: his flywhisk and white hat, which were placed on the coffin.
8. Raila’s wife, children cry as body is lowered
Raila’s wife Ida, children and other relatives were spotted wiping tears as they threw soil in his grave.
Winnie, who was with her father when he died, was spotted heartbroken with teary eyes standing next to the grave as it was being sealed.
President Ruto, former head of state Uhuru Odinga, ODM party members, among others, placed wreaths on Raila’s grave.
Source: UGC
Each photograph from the burial tells a story beyond grief, of endurance, of hope, and of a people who found their voice through one man’s lifelong fight for justice.
As the cameras clicked for the last time, one thing was clear: Baba may have been buried, but his spirit still walks with Kenya.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
