The family of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga is being inundated by mourners, prompting Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna to appeal for privacy for Mama Ida Odinga.
Speaking on Wednesday at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), where party leaders were preparing to travel to India for the repatriation of Odinga’s body, Sifuna said the sheer number of visitors to the Odinga home has left the family struggling to cope.
“If you talk to many of the leaders in ODM and those who knew Mzee, some of us spoke to him as late as yesterday, and he was okay, so we didn’t really expect this. I want to make a very special request, both as a leader in Nairobi and as the Secretary General of ODM, our people must now stop going to Mama Ida’s house because she is there alone and she is overwhelmed,” Sifuna said.
He revealed that ODM is exploring alternative ways for supporters to express their condolences without crowding the family.
“We understand the love, and in fact, the discussion amongst the leadership is that we need to set up some points for people who would want to mourn Mzee, it doesn’t necessarily have to be in Karen,” he explained.
Sifuna also offered heartfelt sympathy to the Odinga family and the party, regretting that news of Raila Odinga’s death reached the public before an official announcement. “
I want to take this opportunity to say pole to the entire ODM fraternity and to the family of the late Raila Odinga. I want to apologise to the members of ODM and the country in general for the delay in the morning because this news was broken by other media before we could do that,” he said.
The Secretary-General stressed that the party waited for the official word from the Head of State because of Odinga’s prominence in national and continental politics.
“We had to wait for the Head of State to make that announcement officially because Raila Odinga was not just the leader of ODM; he was a statesman and a Pan-Africanist,” he said.
“His elder brother, Oburu Odinga, was upcountry, and we had to wait for him to come to Nairobi so that the announcement could be made.”
Sifuna further urged Kenyans to maintain calm and avoid actions that could disrupt public order.
“We want to ask as well that everybody maintains peace. You should ask yourself before you do anything what Mzee would have wanted, what would make him smile and proud of you in this particular moment. There is no point in causing any mayhem, disrupting traffic, or attacking anybody’s business. This is not what Mzee would have wanted,” he noted.
Immediately after the news of Odinga’s passing, large crowds gathered at the Karen home, overwhelming both family members and security personnel.
Witnesses described pushing and confusion as mourners tried to gain entry. Mama Ida Odinga, visibly emotional, struggled to address the crowd, which chanted slogans and raised political messages.
At one point, mourners shouted “Ruto Must Go!”, reportedly directed at President William Ruto, who had earlier visited the home. It is unclear whether the President was present during the unrest.
Amid the chaos, Mama Ida called for calm and peace, joined by ODM leaders including Homa Bay Governor and party chair Gladys Wanga and Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris.
Governor Wanga said a media briefing planned for 1:00 p.m. was postponed, noting: “We are all too emotional. Let us first calm down and stand with the family.”
Later, Mama Ida addressed the public outside her home. “I am very sorry to all Kenyans; we did not expect it would be like this, but it has happened. Please remain calm,” she said through tears.
Meanwhile, sections of Nairobi’s CBD experienced clashes between mourners and police after looters infiltrated the gatherings. Traders closed shops in panic as videos circulated showing crowds fleeing and authorities struggling to restore order. Security has been heightened in major towns during the seven-day national mourning period declared by President Ruto.
President Ruto announced that Raila Odinga will be accorded a state funeral with full honours, and that flags will fly at half-mast nationwide and at Kenyan missions abroad.
“In honour of the Right Honourable Raila Odinga and his immense contribution to the nation of Kenya, I have declared a seven-day period of mourning across Kenya, during which the national flag shall fly at half-mast across the nation and in our missions abroad,” he said.
A funeral committee has been formed, chaired by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and co-chaired by Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga. Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi is leading a government delegation to India to assist in the repatriation of Odinga’s body, with the Indian government providing support.
“At the request of the Government of Kenya, the Government of India has offered to facilitate the repatriation of the remains of Raila. A delegation comprising government officials and family members led by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi is leaving immediately for India to facilitate proper organisation in the repatriation of the remains of our brother, the Honourable Raila Odinga,” Ruto said. Mama Ida Odinga has joined the delegation.
Raila Odinga, who passed away at 80 in Kerala, India, is remembered as a champion of democracy, reform, and national unity.