End of an era as Raila Odinga is laid to rest
Kenya bid farewell to one of its most iconic political figures as former Prime Minister and long-serving opposition leader Raila Odinga was laid to rest at his ancestral home in Bondo, Siaya County, marking the end of a transformative era in Kenyan politics on Sunday, October 19, 2025.
After arriving at the Bondo home, a flag covering Raila’s coffin was removed and properly folded by the military personnel, set to be handed over to Ida Odinga, symbolising the nation’s collective appreciation for Raila’s unwavering service.
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The coffin was then lowered into the grave after the church made a short prayer. In honour of Raila’s contribution to the nation, a 17-gun salute was made by the military.
The gun salute was then followed by a short prayer before the family was allowed to pour soil into Raila Odinga’s grave.
Also watch: Kisumu residents watch Raila’s final send-off at Kondele roundabout
Later, flowers were gently placed on his grave, one by one, by family members, dignitaries, and ordinary citizens, each bloom a silent tribute to a man whose legacy will endure for generations
Thousands of mourners, including heads of state, diplomats, political leaders, and ordinary citizens, gathered to pay their last respects to a man whose influence shaped the country’s democratic journey for decades.
The somber ceremony was steeped in both emotion and reflection, as leaders from across the political divide praised Odinga’s enduring legacy of resilience, reform, and sacrifice.
Raila 80, passed on on October 15, 2025, in India, where he was receiving specialized treatment.
The Church choir led the gathering in soul-stirring hymns as prayers were offered, invoking peace and strength for the family and the nation.
President William Ruto led the tributes, hailing Raila as a patriot who put the nation before self. He urged Kenyans to honour his legacy by embracing unity and democratic values.
“We may have differed politically, but we never doubted his love for Kenya,” Ruto eulogised.
His death came just weeks after a powerful final address in which he called for continuity within his Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and reaffirmed the party’s commitment to field a candidate in the 2027 general elections.
The party’s 20th anniversary, meant to be held in Mombasa, was postponed until the ailing Raila returns from India, only for him to return without life.
Also watch: Eldoret residents follow Raila’s funeral live on big screens
Yet amid the grief, moments of chaos broke out among devastated supporters who could not accept that their beloved leader was gone. Mourners breached security barriers and forced their way into the compound, overwhelming police and military officers in a desperate attempt to get closer to their fallen hero.
Many wailed uncontrollably, collapsing in anguish, while others cried out, insisting Raila had only gone “to a land of no return.” Security personnel moved swiftly to contain the situation and restore calm, but the scene laid bare the depth of sorrow and disbelief gripping the nation.
It was more than a burial; it was a national reckoning, a moment to reflect on a man who walked through fire for Kenya’s democracy. And as the sun set over Bondo, one truth was clear to all: an era had ended.
