Thousands of mourners storm Mamboleo grounds to honour Raila Odinga
By William Muthama, October 18, 2025Thousands of mourners have already gathered at Mamboleo Grounds in Kisumu ahead of the public viewing of the late ODM leader and former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga’s body.
The event is set to begin later this morning under tight security and government coordination.
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Crowds started arriving as early as 5 a.m., with many dressed in orange, the colour of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM). Supporters waved flags, carried tree branches for peace, and sang songs that celebrated Raila’s life and political struggle.
The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) is expected to airlift Odinga’s body from Nairobi to Kisumu shortly, with public viewing scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. and continue until the afternoon.
Security has been tightened around the venue, with officers from multiple units deployed to manage the large turnout. Vendors are distributing bottled water and snacks as crowds swell along the Kisumu-Busia Road.
By 7 am, the field was nearly full. Women danced and sang traditional Luo dirges, while men blew vuvuzelas and waved placards bearing Raila’s portrait. Youth groups from Siaya, Homa Bay, and Migori have also joined the gathering, chanting “Baba! Baba!”
Early in the morning, the streets were already jammed with residents who had poured out in their thousands, waving flags, singing freedom songs, and blowing vuvuzelas as they lined up along the main roads leading into the city.
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The air was electric with emotion as people waited to catch a glimpse of Raila Odinga’s body, which was expected to arrive in Kisumu at dawn for the public viewing at Jomo Kenyatta Stadium in Mamboleo.
Raila’s deep roots in the Nyanza region remain evident as thousands converge to honour his memory. For decades, Kisumu stood firmly behind him, serving as the foundation of his political strength.
The late Raila Odinga, who died at the age of 80, will be laid to rest at his ancestral home in Bondo, Siaya County, on Sunday, October 19, 2025.
His passing marks the end of an era and the beginning of a lasting legacy for one of Kenya’s most defining political figures.