Police recover gun stolen during Raila Odinga’s burial
By Lutta Njomo, October 25, 2025Almost six days after a bodyguard attached to a governor lost a gun during the burial of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga on Sunday, October 19, 2025, police have made a breakthrough in the case.
A rifle loaded with 15 bullets was stolen in the middle of the funeral procession attended by thousands of mourners.
Also watch: Uhuru Kenyatta pays quiet tribute at Raila Odinga’s grave in Bondo
However, on Saturday, October 25, 2025, officers based in the Lakeside region recovered the stolen gun in the Mbeme area in Kisumu East.
The weapon was found hidden in the roof of one of the four persons of interest who were apprehended during the Saturday, October 25, 2025, operation.
The officers waylaid the persons of interest and recovered the weapon following a tip-off from the members of the public in Kisumu.
Also watch: We lost one of our big Arsenal fans, Raila Odinga – President Ruto
What transpired
Speaking to the media on Monday, October 20, 2025, Bondo Sub-County Police Commander Robert Aboki said the firearm was stolen while the bodyguard was escorting the governor’s vehicle shortly after the ceremony had ended.
The officer is said to have been surrounded by a group of agitated youth who managed to snatch the weapon before disappearing into the crowd.
“Ni kweli bunduki hiyo ilipotea, tulikua kwa uwanja kwa mazishi, tunaendelea kuitafuta na niko na uhakika tutaipata. Wakati tumemaliza function kwa uwanja, wakati waheshimiwa walikua wanatoka, hapo ndio hao vijana waliweza kusukuma one of the bodyguards na wakaweza kuchukua ile bunduki,” Aboki stated.
Also watch: Martha Karua: This is what I would have said in 90 seconds during Raila’s burial
He further confirmed that investigations had been launched to recover the loaded firearm. He noted that a team of detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) were dispatched to Bondo to help recover the gun.
Raila Odinga was laid to rest on Sunday evening, October 19, 2025, at Kang’o Ka Jaramogi, his ancestral home in Bondo, Siaya County, in a solemn and symbolic ceremony that brought together national leaders, family, and several mourners allowed at the private ceremony.
Raila, who died on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, in India, was buried in his trademark hat, commonly referred to as ‘Ogudu’ in the Luo language and ‘whisk’ or ‘Orengo’, in what was a symbolic gesture to highlight his influence as per Luo traditions.