President William Ruto has directed that all government officials authorized to fly the national flag on their official vehicles cease doing so until the burial of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, President Ruto said the directive takes effect immediately and will remain in force until sunset on the day of Odinga’s interment.
“The President, the Deputy President, the Prime Cabinet Secretary, the Chief Justice, Cabinet Secretaries, the Speaker of the National Assembly, the Speaker of the Senate, Kenya's diplomats abroad, and whomsoever else is so authorised by law, shall not fly the national flag on their official motor vehicles from today until sunset on the day of his interment,” the President said.
The move forms part of the government’s official mourning arrangements for the late former Prime Minister, who died in India on October 15, 2025.
It follows the President’s earlier declaration of a seven-day period of national mourning, during which the national flag will fly at half-mast across the country and at Kenyan missions abroad.
Ruto’s directive underscores the government’s recognition of Odinga’s immense contribution to Kenya’s democracy and national development.
Odinga, who served as Prime Minister from 2008 to 2013, is being remembered as one of Kenya’s most influential political figures, having played a central role in the country’s push for multiparty democracy and constitutional reform.
The President also announced that Odinga would be accorded a State Funeral with full honours.
A joint funeral committee, co-chaired by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga, will oversee the arrangements.
The ODM leader died on Wednesday morning after suffering a cardiac arrest while he was on a morning walk.
He has been in India for about two weeks, where he had sought medical attention.
Raila collapsed during a morning walk on Wednesday at 8:30 am, within the premises of the Ayurvedic facility.
It was reported that CPR was administered by the medical team on-site.
He was rushed to Devamatha Hospital in Koothattukulam, where he was pronounced dead around 9.52 am Indian Time. He was aged 80.