Heavy security deployed at Mamboleo during Raila’s body viewing
By Cynthia Lodite, October 18, 2025Heavy security has been deployed at the Jomo Kenyatta Stadium in Kisumu as the body of the late Raila Odinga arrives at the stadium ahead of public viewing.
While following the live coverage of events on Friday, October 18, 2025, K24Digital was able to establish a huge police presence inside and outside the Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium, where thousands of mourners had gathered.
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The huge security presence comes just a day after Kisumu and Nyanza residents were urged to maintain peace and civility on Saturday, October 18, 2025, when they will have the opportunity to pay their last respects to the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga at the Jomo Kenyatta Stadium in Mamboleo, Kisumu city.
Officers from the National Youth Service (NYS) have been strategically positioned around the VIP dais where Raila’s body would later be placed.
The Kenya Police Service, Kenya Defence Forces, and other security agencies maintained a strong presence inside and around the stadium to ensure order as the crowds swelled by the hour.
On the other hand, mounted police have also been deployed, ready to disperse any unruly gatherings or control stampedes should they occur.
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Emergency response teams have also set up temporary stations throughout the venue.
Ambulances from AAR, the Kisumu County Government, the Kenya Red Cross, and St. John’s Ambulance lined the periphery of the stadium, with medical personnel standing by to attend to fainting mourners or emergencies amid the intense emotion of the day.
Kisumu governor’s plea
At the time, while addressing the media during the security and preparedness assessment of the venue on Thursday, October 16, 2025, Kisumu County Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o and Nyanza Regional Commissioner Florah Mworoa appealed to the residents to give a befitting send-off to their leader by ensuring they maintain peace on Saturday.
“I want to take this opportunity to request the residents of Kisumu and of the Nyanza region in general who will be here to receive the body of our fallen hero to be very peaceful,” Mworoa appealed.
The leaders said, despite the incident that happened in Nairobi, they hope and believe mourners from Nyanza will show the world they loved Odinga by maintaining peace and order.
“The people of this region love peace; let that be proven on Saturday so that you don’t shame the distinguished guests and let down our party leader, Raila Amollo Odinga,” Nyong’o said.o stated.