Orengo details private plans upon Raila’s body’s arrival in Bondo
Siaya County Governor James Orengo has issued an update on the events upon the arrival of the body of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga at his home in Bondo.
In a press briefing on Saturday, October 18, 2025, Orengo announced that once the body arrives in Bondo, it will be moved to the home, where only family and close relatives will be allowed in the home.
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“When the body arrives in Bondo, it will be home not for public viewing, but for the family and close relatives,” Orengo said.
Orengo further added that the organisers have set aside a place where members of the public and the community in Bondo and Siaya will be able to view the body of the late Raila Odinga.
“There is a place set aside where members of the public and the community in Bondo and Siaya will be able to view the body of the late Raila Odinga,” Orengo said.
Kisumu residents turn up
Emotional scenes unfolded at the Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium in Mamboleo, Kisumu, as the public viewing of the late ODM leader and former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga’s body officially began.
Thousands of mourners, draped in orange attire and carrying peace branches, filled the stadium from as early as 5 a.m. Many sang liberation songs and chanted “Jowi” and “Baba! Baba!” as they waited for their turn to pay their final respects.
Also watch: Public viewing of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga in Kisumu
The viewing, which began at 9 a.m., is expected to conclude in the afternoon, drawing thousands of mourners from across the country eager to pay their last respects to the man fondly known as Baba.
The viewing was, however, briefly halted after a group of political leaders crowded near the dais, blocking the procession of mourners.
The ceremony later resumed after security officers cleared the area and reorganised the queues.
The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) had earlier flown Raila’s body from Nairobi to Kisumu aboard a military aircraft, marking the last public viewing before his burial in Bondo, Siaya County, on Sunday, October 19, 2025.
Security teams, including GSU and KDF officers, were stationed around the venue to maintain order. Officers at the gates ensured strict entry control, allowing mourners to view the body in batches.
