Mama Ida reveals she was unaware of Raila’s 72-hour burial wish

Mama Ida Odinga has revealed that she was unaware of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s wish to be buried within 72 hours, saying the directive came as a surprise and forced preparations to be fast-tracked.

Speaking during the presentation of Raila Odinga’s memorabilia to her family on Friday, January 30, 2026, Mama Ida said she did not know when or where Raila wrote the will containing the burial instructions.

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She explained that Kenyan funerals are typically elaborate and take time to organise, making the 72-hour timeline unexpected and challenging.

“I don’t know when he wrote this will of his that he should be buried within 72 hours, whether he wrote it in Kenya or somewhere else,” Mama Ida said.

Preparations rushed

Mama Ida described how the tight burial timeline required preparations to move quickly.

She noted that Kenyan funerals usually take several days, meaning ceremonies, logistics, and arrangements had to be organised in record time.

“You know Kenyan funerals and how they go. Seventy-two hours is such a short time, and therefore things had to be rushed quickly,” she said.

Despite the strain, Mama Ida said she was determined to honour Raila’s final wishes as outlined in his will.

Ruto’s intervention praised

Mama Ida singled out President William Ruto for stepping in to ensure Raila’s burial instructions were respected, crediting him for mobilising government machinery to make the process possible.

She said the President’s support was instrumental in helping meet the tight deadline and organise key aspects of the funeral.

“For us to beat that time, we are most grateful to His Excellency President William Samoei Ruto, who came in and stood strong to make sure that Raila’s will was honoured,” she said.

Mama Ida asked that gratitude be conveyed to the Head of State for his role during the difficult period.

Raila Odinga, one of Kenya’s most influential political figures, had long been associated with large public gatherings and mass mobilisation, making the idea of a rushed burial unusual in Kenyan culture.

Raila Odinga was accorded a full State Funeral with a 17-gun salute, military honours, and national mourning.