Live Blog: Farewell Baba – Raila Odinga’s last journey

The late former Prime Minister Raila Amollo Odinga was accorded a 17-gun salute and the ceremonial last post by the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) in a dignified military send-off at Kang’o ka Jaramogi in Bondo, Siaya County.

President Ruto: "I will not allow anyone to break ODM, a party Baba (Raila) built and believed in for over 20 years. We remain committed to supporting and keeping it united."

President William Ruto during the funeral service of the late Raila Odinga at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology on October 19, 2025. PHOTO/DPCS

President Ruto: "We consulted with Baba very often,but the last one and a half months were particularly difficult. Every time I met him, his voice was hoarse, and he kept telling me he felt weak because of the medication he was taking. I was very concerned. He explained that he had gone to Dubai at a Canadian hospital. When I went to New York for the United Nations General Assembly, I kept in touch with him about his health. I told him I would come back through Dubai for a medical check-up, but I wanted to meet him afterward because his condition was concerning."

President William Ruto pays his respects to the body of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga during his funeral service at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology on October 19, 2025. PHOTO/DPCS

Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo: "One thing I liked about Raila was his sense of humour. Anytime we met, no matter how serious the situation may be, you can be sure that Raila will turn the tension into something to laugh about."

In his farewell to the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, former President Uhuru Kenyatta said the country will miss "a friend, a brother, and a leader of this nation."

Uhuru: "We shall miss you, Jakom. We shall miss you as a friend, a brother, and a leader of this nation. We shall miss your insight, your thoughtfulness, your wisdom, and your laughter. Your deeds will live on, and we will remember them. Farewell, Raila Odinga, my friend."

Kalonzo Musyoka: "My brother Raila Odinga, I give you my pledge that I will stand for the values you stood for amid the tears and pain of a stolen election."

CS Joho: "I have never betrayed Raila while he was alive, and I will not betray him even in death. I cannot be where Raila did not take me. I was taken to the government of William Ruto by Raila Amolo Odinga, and that is where I belong, and that’s where I will stay."

MP Junet: "I hear people calling me a political orphan. I will gather all the so-called Raila political orphans, and I will be their chairman. We are many orphans here."

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."

CS John Mbadi: "Baba, (Raila) I will not disappoint you. I will not betray you. The only place where we disagreed and you allowed it; is that you were supporting Arsenal and I'm supporting Manchester United."

Governor Orengo: "The other character of Raila Odinga, other than being brave and courageous, was that he was a peacemaker. Raila was a peacemaker, and even today, we can see that Raila can bring Uhuru together and Ruto is here as president."

Siaya Governor: "I want to remind all Kenyans that he legacy of Raila Odinga will not be kept by mere speech. Speechifying will not be enough. It is to make sure that the gains we have made will never be lost."

Governor Abdulswamad: "We will not betray you because you are departed. We will stay within the broad-based government."

Senator Edwin Sifuna: "I am forever grateful to Raila for choosing me as the ODM secretary general. I don’t know why you chose me, Baba."

Ochilo Mbogo Ayacko: "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."

Gladys Wanga has urged President William Ruto to rename Talanta Stadium to Raila Odinga Talanta Stadium in honor of the late leader.

MP Millie Odhiambo: "The death of Baba (Raila Odinga) was the hardest thing we had to deal with."

Dr Ida Odinga: "If you are a spouse of a politician, inherit his friends not his enemies. Let your husband deal with his enemies the way he met them."

Dr. Ida Odinga. Raila's widow speaks colourfully about her late husband.

Dr. Ida Odinga. "I married an engineer who would proceed to engineer the politics of Kenya."

Senator Oburu Oginga: "I have lost my best friend in life. I will never have another friend like Raila. It's with a heavy heart that I stand here to mourn him. From childhood, Raila was a caring boy. He was also very principled and would refuse if he felt he was being misused."

Raila Odinga’s nephew, Jaramogi: "Kama ningejua nitaongea, haki ningeenda niulize Uhuru anisaidie ile uji alikunywa na Raila."

Rosemary Odinga: It is very hard for us as a family. Our father believed in us, listened keenly to what we had to say, taught us to think broadly, find solutions and work with others. Our father taught us to love our country and the whole continent of Africa.

Winnie Odinga: "They wrote for me a speech but I have nothing to say other than thanking the staff of Baba and President Ruto. The king is dead but long live the crown"

Raila Odinga's daughter begins her eulogy with formal Luo greetings; "Untie?" meaning "Are you there?"

Raila Odinga Junior: I’m dressed in white because the last three days we’ve mourned Baba (Raila). But today we are not mourning; we are celebrating a life well lived.

The late former PM Raila Odinga's son, Junior, rises to give his father's eulogy. He begins his greeting in Luo.

"Amosou" meaning "I greet you all."

He calls on the crowd to stand for a brief moment of silence in honour of his father.

Emily Oginga, sister to Raila Odinga, reads her eulogy:  For 80 years years he embodied resilience, boundless optimism, a will to test limits, ventured into new frontiers and imagined new horizons. All in steadfast love for country. He was a leader who never wavered in his belief in the good of his people.

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki rises up to speak. He invites the family of the late Raila Odinga to give their eulogy.

Rev. Otieno speaks about the impact the late Raila Odinga's death has had on his loved ones and supporters.

He says," Death has disrupted the ODM party, Odinga family, broad-based government and the country, but God promises to be with us."

Rev Otieno: "The late former Prime Minister, Raila Odinga, was an advocate against gender violence. Let me tell you, those who are here, when you go home, honor Raila by not beating your husband or beating your wife."

Rev. Joseph Otieno. PHOTO/Screengrab

Rev. Joseph Otieno Wasonga begins his sermon with Psalms 34-18 "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."A befitting prayer to the family and supporters of the late Raila Odinga.

Rt. Prof. David Kodia, Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Bondo says Raila will be given a full Christian burial since he was a member of the Anglican Church of Kenya.

Rev. Joseph Otieno Wasonga is expected to give a summon at the funeral service.

Rt. Prof. David Kodia, Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Bondo. PHOTO/Screengrab

Former Nigerian President Obasanjo, President Ruto, and former President Uhuru Kenyatta arrive at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University Grounds.

The Chief of the Defence Forces, General Charles Kahariri, and IGP Douglas Kanja arrive at the event, alongside other security chiefs.

The interment service is being led by the Rt. Prof. David Kodia, Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Bondo.

He prays solemnly in a clear voice.

"Lord, with all grace and humility, we want to thank you for the gift of life that you had given your servant, the Rt. Hon Raila Odinga," he prays.

A somber mood engulfs the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University Grounds as military pallbearers in excellent fashion, escort the casket bearing the body of the late Raila Odinga at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University Grounds during the funeral service.

The crowd at some point cheers on as the casket is wheeled in.

The body of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has arrived at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University Grounds.

The casket bearing the remains of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga arrives at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University Grounds. PHOTO/Screengrab

There is a carnival mood at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University with a sea of humanity in ODM and Kenyan flags , singing and dancing, a celebration of a life well lived by the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

Interior CS Kipchumba speaking in Siaya says: "At most 500 people will be allowed into the private burial ceremony. There is something solemn about the last rites, and the family have to go through the process. If it is noisy, they may not have that moment. We ask people to be sensitive about that and allow the family to do so privately. "

Guests including National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula and Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot have arrived at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University, ahead of President William Ruto and other dignitaries who are expected to take their seats before the arrival of the funeral procession.

The body of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga leaves his home in Opoda Farm and is expected to arrive at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University Grounds.

A strong security presence has been deployed at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST) grounds to maintain order and ensure smooth proceedings ahead of the state burial of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.