Raila Odinga’s body leaves JKIA for Kisumu ahead of burial ceremony
By Cynthia Lodite, October 18, 2025The body of the late Raila Odinga has left Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for Kisumu ahead of the body viewing and burial ceremony in Bondo.
The body, which was carried in a military aircraft, is on a 50-minute journey, as the flight is expected to arrive at Kisumu International Airport at 7 o’clock.
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According to reports, on board the two military aircraft are close family members and friends.
Upon arrival at Kisumu International Airport, the body is expected to proceed for a public viewing at Jomo Kenyatta Stadium in Mamboleo, in what is anticipated to be one of the largest gatherings ever seen in the lakeside city.
After the Mambo Leo grounds event, the body is expected to make a procession to Bondo by road ahead of his final send-off at his family home in Kango ka Jaramogi.
Kisumu flights new update
On the other hand, following a huge pull of crowds expected to attend Raila Odinga’s farewell journey in Bondo, the Kenya Airways company announced a change of operations on flights bound for Kisumu ahead of Raila Odinga’s burial ceremony in Bondo, Siaya County.
In a post on the Kenya Airways official X account on Friday, October 17, 2025, Kenya Airways announced an increased flight frequency to Kisumu over the weekend to accommodate the high travel demand to Kisumu.
Also watch: Kenya Airways increases number of flights to Kisumu ahead of Raila’s burial
Likewise, Kenya Airways confirmed that the additional flights will be KQ656, expected to depart at 1330 HRS, and KQ658, which is expected to depart at 1900 HRS on Saturday, 18 October,” KQ said.
“We’ve increased our flight frequency to Kisumu over the weekend to accommodate the high travel demand. Friday, 17 Oct.: Additional flights KQ656 (1330 HRS) & KQ658 (1900 HRS) Saturday, 18 Oct., KQ said.
On the other hand, Kenya Airways revealed that the company has further upgraded its flights to Boeing 737, which is bound to depart on Sunday, October 19, 2025, on the day of Raila Odinga’s burial.
Likewise, Kenya Airways confirmed another upgrade addition of flight KQ654 to a Boeing 737, KQ671 to a Boeing 737, KQ654 to a Boeing 737, and flight KQ670 to a Boeing 737.