Overwhelming crowd at JKIA forces military to abandon Raila’s reception plans
By Nancy Marende, October 16, 2025A massive crowd that thronged Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on Thursday morning, October 16, 2025, to receive the body of the late former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga forced the military and airport security to abandon the official reception program that had been meticulously planned.
According to initial arrangements, the casket carrying Raila’s body, draped in the national flag, was to be placed on a wheeled military carrier for a formal state reception.
President William Ruto was scheduled to officially receive it, accompanied by former President Uhuru Kenyatta, top government officials, and senior leaders of the ODM party.
However, moments after the aircraft carrying Raila’s body landed at 9:33 am, the situation quickly became uncontrollable as thousands of supporters, chanting his name, broke through the security cordons and surged onto the tarmac.
The military was forced to halt the original plan and instead escorted Raila’s body to Lee Funeral Home, albeit sandwiched between mammoth crowds.
The Kenya Airways flight RAO001, carrying the body of the former prime minister, which had earlier changed its call sign from KQ203 in honour of the late leader, was received with jets of water sprayed from fire trucks as the aircraft rolled on the runway, marking the first time such a tribute has been performed for a Kenyan leader.
The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) and airport security personnel struggled to contain the crowd, which included emotional mourners carrying portraits of Raila and ODM flags.
Public Holiday
The government has declared Friday, October 17, a public holiday to honour Raila’s legacy.
A State Funeral Service will be held at Nyayo Stadium from 8 a.m., followed by an overnight vigil at his Karen residence. On Saturday, the body will be flown to Kisumu and then transported to Bondo, Siaya County, for burial on Sunday according to Anglican Church traditions.
Raila Odinga, aged 80, passed away on Wednesday in India after suffering a cardiac arrest. His homecoming marks the end of a chapter in Kenya’s history, one defined by resilience, reform, and an unyielding commitment to justice.