Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s body has been placed in Parliament , marking the start of the State Funeral events that will culminate in his burial on Sunday in Siaya County.
The Parliament viewing, which began early Friday morning, comes ahead of the national farewell service scheduled to take place at Nyayo Stadium from 9am, where top Kenyan leaders and international guests are expected to attend.
The solemn moment allows Kenyans who could not view the body earlier to pay their last respects to the man who shaped the country’s democratic journey for decades.
Raila’s body, wrapped in the Kenyan flag, lies under the watch of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) in a ceremony reserved for national figures accorded State honours.
The initial plan to hold the viewing on Thursday was disrupted after large crowds around the capital made it impossible to proceed safely. Security agencies had to halt the procession to Parliament and redirect the exercise to Kasarani Stadium.
The decision was later reversed following a security review and improved crowd management plans, paving the way for the traditional lying-in-state to proceed at Parliament on Friday morning.
The viewing is part of the national farewell arrangements for Raila, who died in India following a cardiac arrest while receiving treatment. His body arrived in Nairobi on Thursday morning to a solemn reception at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, attended by top State officials and family members.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, who co-chairs the State Funeral Committee, said Thursday evening that the ceremony at Nyayo Stadium will run for two hours to allow the public more time to view the remains of the ODM leader.
“Tomorrow, there will be a state funeral service at Nyayo Stadium beginning at 9 am. Guests are required to be settled by 8 am. This two-hour State event will comprise military honours, a church sermon from the Anglican Church of Kenya, a eulogy by the family, and designated condolences and speeches from the leadership of Kenya and foreign heads of state and government,” Kindiki said.
He added that the public viewing will resume at noon after the official ceremony. “There will be a public viewing of the remains of the late Prime Minister Raila Odinga after that State event. Those who want to continue mourning our departed leader have no cause to worry. There will be another opportunity, and we will extend that opportunity from around 12 noon,” he said.
The lying-in-state tradition, borrowed from the United Kingdom, is one of the highest forms of national honour extended to leaders who have rendered exceptional service to their country. It allows citizens to pay their last respects before the final burial ceremony.
According to Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga, the family will hold a private burial for the former Prime Minister on Sunday. “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 later Raila will be buried next to our mum and dad in a private burial, which will be attended only by a few people,” he said.
The State Funeral Committee said all guests attending the Nyayo Stadium service are expected to be seated by 8am, with tight security measures in place. The farewell ceremony will include military honours, hymns, and tributes celebrating Raila’s lifelong dedication to democracy and justice.