Raila Odinga accorded a 17-gun salute in recognition of his stature as a former Prime Minister pic.twitter.com/F975RFURok
— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) October 19, 2025
Ended Updated 19 Oct, 17:20
Raila's Final Journey
The body of former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga arrived in Nairobi some minutes to 10.AM, a day after he succumbed to a heart attack in Kerala, India .
Live coverage has ended. Every update from the day is below, newest first.
All updates
Raila Odinga laid to rest in a private ceremony at his home in Kang’o ka Jaramogi, Bondo, Siaya County pic.twitter.com/tmQLT1lY1i
— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) October 19, 2025
Raila’s body leaves Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University en route to Kang’o ka Jaramogi for the private burial ceremony pic.twitter.com/oK0Ha5XMVQ
— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) October 19, 2025
President Ruto: I was not worried, and it did not matter to me what the outcome of the 2022 presidential election would be, because either Raila Odinga was going to win, or his political student, William Ruto pic.twitter.com/scVlTfv1ZY
— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) October 19, 2025
President Ruto: I know I am the leader of UDA, but the future, strength, and well-being of ODM matter a great deal to me. I assure you that we will respect and support ODM as we head into 2027, to either form the next government or be part of it pic.twitter.com/wDaT2Nf27F
— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) October 19, 2025
President Ruto: I got to know Raila Odinga when I was elected as the MP for Eldoret North in 1997. I can confidently say that Raila was a political engineer, and among his many students was yours truly, William Ruto. I am proud that a man he mentored is today Kenya's president pic.twitter.com/5QikKetkM6
— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) October 19, 2025
President Ruto: Kenya is flowing with floods of grief. The foundations are shaken by the stomping footsteps of mourners. The soul of our nation aches at the loss of Raila Odinga, a man many fondly referred to as the people’s president pic.twitter.com/VUvkPjOCqC
— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) October 19, 2025
Uhuru Kenyatta: Jakom, we shall miss you as a leader of this nation. We shall miss your insights, thoughtfulness, wisdom, and laughter. Fare thee well, Raila Odinga pic.twitter.com/QNoxPYDHUb
— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) October 19, 2025
Speaker Amason Kingi: Leo hii nazika Baba mlezi wangu wa kisiasa. Nimebaki na Baba Mungu pekee yake pic.twitter.com/9zEzg9pZXL
— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) October 19, 2025
Junet Mohamed: I have a lot of sadness and it’s hard for me to believe that he is dead. Baba knew when to fight and when to lay down. Baba loved peace and made it clear that we should stay on broad based government pic.twitter.com/oW45cFA82Q
— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) October 19, 2025
Hassan Ali Joho: I have never betrayed Raila when he was alive and I will not betray his cause in death. Siwezi kuwa mahali ambapo Raila hakunipeleka. I was taken to Ruto’s government by Raila pic.twitter.com/NdDRfefzhw
— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) October 19, 2025
Opiyo Wandayi: Baba was my role model and I’m proud to have worked with him. Baba told me to work for my country selflessly and support the government fully pic.twitter.com/wTPjrdEDIs
— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) October 19, 2025
John Mbadi: We must remember that Raila started small, remained patient and resilient to be where he was. Raila was a forgiving man. Baba made me a leader when everyone disbelieved in my capability pic.twitter.com/p6BTQ0v7Yw
— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) October 19, 2025
James Orengo: We have lost so many sons in Nyanza but This is the first time we have seen a state funeral
Ochilo Mbogo Ayako: We have lost our leader, mentor and ultra-ego. President Ruto was a founder member of ODM. Baba knew how to put a team together and never betrayed anybody
Ochilo Mbogo Ayako: We have lost our leader, mentor and ultra-ego. President Ruto was a founder member of ODM. Baba knew how to put a team together and never betrayed anybody pic.twitter.com/KTTzNsrpz9
— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) October 19, 2025
In death, ODM-allied Cabinet Secretaries swear allegiance to Raila Odinga, vow to be loyal to the party.
Wycliffe Oparanya: Chochote nimepata ni Baba alinipa. He taught me that there are no permanent friends and enemies in politics. Tutakaa kwa broad-based government na kumuunga Ruto mkono pic.twitter.com/ezyoyrNZ3q
— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) October 19, 2025
Homabay Governor Gladys Wanga, who is also ODM chairperson, proposes the naming of Talanta Stadium after Raila Odinga.
Gladys Wanga to President Ruto: Ile stadium yetu ambayo inakuja kubwa sana iwe na jina Raila Odinga Talanta Stadium na kwa sababu wewe ni mtu wa Asenali kama Baba, ulete Asenali icheze na Harambee Stars pic.twitter.com/yAWcv5WZo0
— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) October 19, 2025
ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna warns against divisive narratives in the party, calls for unity.
Edwin Sifuna: Mimi Sifuna sitakuwa baadhi ya wale ambao watachangia kuangusha chama cha Raila…This is not the time to push divisive narratives in ODM. Ni lazima sisi kama viongozi wa chama tuonyeshe umoja ili wanachama wafuate mfano wetu pic.twitter.com/EaqocWzK9y
— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) October 19, 2025
When Raila Odinga was detained during President Moi's regime, Mama Ida was hopeful that her husband would return home.
"I always believed he would return home, but this time, I know it is I who will one day join him."
Ida Odinga: During his years of detention, I always believed he would return home But this time, I know it is I who will one day join him...What kept our marriage strong was the power of communication, talking to one another, even through difficult times, helped us move forward… pic.twitter.com/p5GKUqIWuC
— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) October 19, 2025