The family of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has announced that he will be laid to rest in a private ceremony attended by only a few people.
Speaking on Thursday, Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga, who is also his elder brother said the family was planning a dignified send-off for the ODM leader, whom he described as a dignified son of this land.
He went on to say that the public programme would culminate at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology, before the family holds a private interment at their home in Bondo, Siaya County.
“We will give Raila a dignified send-off, which he deserves, as a dignified son of this land. The programme will end with a burial ceremony at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology, and then later on Raila will be buried next to our mum and dad... in a private burial which will be attended only by a few people,” Oburu said.
The senator emphasized that while the public would have an opportunity to pay their last respects, the actual burial would remain a family affair.
Plans for the funeral are being coordinated between the family, government, and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party to honour the veteran politician’s legacy and contributions to Kenya’s democracy.
Raila died in India after he had a cardiac arrest. He was undergoing treatment in the country.
His body arrived in the country on Thursday morning and has been lying in state.
The government on Wednesday announced that it would accord the former Prime Minister a State funeral.
President William Ruto also announced a seven-day period of national mourning, during which all official engagements are suspended and flags across government offices, State House, military installations, and diplomatic missions abroad will fly at half-mast.
“I have declared a seven-day period of national mourning, during which the national flag shall fly at half-mast across the Republic of Kenya and in all our missions abroad. As a mark of respect, I have postponed all my public engagements for the coming days, and I ask all other public servants and leaders to do the same so that we can join the nation in this period of mourning and deep reflection,” he said.