Jalang’o explains chaos that would have ensued if Raila’s burial had been delayed
By Paulette Mboga, November 7, 2025Lang’ata Member of Parliament (MP) Phelix Odiwuor, popularly known as Jalang’o, has said that if the burial of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga had been delayed beyond the 72-hour period he had requested, both Kenya and India would have come to a standstill.
According to Jalang’o, through a YouTube interview on Friday, November 7, 2025, the quick decision to bury Raila within three days helped the country avoid confusion, speculation, and possible unrest.
Speaking about Raila’s final wishes, Jalang’o said the late leader’s choice to be buried after 72 hours was wise and intentional.
“I am so happy Baba decided the 72 hours. I am so happy with that. I think he knew very well that if this thing were not handled within 72 hours, it would have been too chaotic. I can’t lie to you, with the propaganda that had already started. I don’t think we would have a country today. Things would have been at a standstill, chaos everywhere. Baba knew it very well.”
He added that Raila had begun talking about funerals in his final days, suggesting he wanted everything handled quickly and peacefully.
Jalang’o says Raila’s decision prevented chaos
Jalang’o went on to explain how a longer delay would have sparked extreme reactions both in Kenya and abroad.
“Let’s say Baba died on that Wednesday, and it was an open book that when we decide, is when we bury him. Those three days, people would have gone to India. People would have booked to go to India. I can’t lie to you, and not just politicians. And India would have come to a standstill. That is how big this thing would have been,” he said.
Jalang’o described Raila’s influence as so powerful that the entire region would have paused to mourn and participate in his final journey. He said that if the burial had been delayed, “You can imagine what could have been happening here, the country could have been at a standstill. Then Baba lands, you see how they were saying Baba’s body was supposed to leave Kisumu to Bondo by road, they would have arrived in Bondo today.”
According to Jalang’o, Raila’s foresight to have a quick burial spared the nation from unnecessary tension and showed his deep understanding of the country’s emotional connection to him.