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The Kenya Airports Authority personnel made repeated appeals for calm, but their efforts were drowned by the cries of mourners desperate to catch a glimpse of the casket. Tension heightened when the coffin, draped in the Kenyan flag, was brought out of the plane, prompting louder wails across the tarmac.
Armed police and military officers have cordoned off all access routes to the facility, with checkpoints mounted along Valley Road and Argwings Kodhek Road. Only selected family members, authorised government officials, and accredited personnel are being allowed entry.
Ruto, who arrived shortly after 9:08 am, is leading the country’s leadership in welcoming the remains of the opposition leader who passed away on Wednesday morning while undergoing treatment in India. His Deputy, Kithure Kindiki, was among the first senior government officials to reach the airport to oversee the final arrangements for the solemn reception.
The aircraft, KQA203, left Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) at 6:30 p.m., carrying a delegation sent to oversee the repatriation process. Within hours of take-off, it had drawn intense global interest, initially ranking second among the world’s most tracked flights before taking the top spot by midnight.
In a special gazette notice issued by the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration, the declaration was made under Section 3 of the Public Holidays Act, giving Kenyans across the country an opportunity to reflect on Odinga’s life and legacy.
A condolence book will also be open at the State Department of Foreign Affairs in Nairobi for envoys and international representatives to sign.
Following arrangements at Lee Funeral Home, Raila’s remains will be transported to Parliament to lie in state, giving Kenyans an opportunity to pay their respects.
Raila’s body is expected to arrive in Kenya on Thursday, October 16, at around 9 am, after which it will be taken to the Lee Funeral Home.
Earlier on Wednesday, President Ruto announced a seven-day national mourning period, directing that the national flag be flown at half-mast across Kenya and at all Kenyan missions abroad until the interment of Odinga.
Raila Odinga suffered cardiac failure around 8 am during his morning walk at the Sreedhareeyam Ayurvedic eye hospital-cum-research centre in Koothattukulam, where he had been receiving treatment for the past five days. He was officially pronounced dead at 9:52 a.m.
The Government of India will assist in returning Raila’s remains, with a delegation led by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi leaving immediately to organize the repatriation.
From early morning, supporters, neighbors, and political figures streamed into the compound, with some sitting quietly in grief while others moved about, holding leafy branches and chanting Luo songs to honor the man they affectionately called Baba.
The country faces a moment of mourning as leaders and citizens come to terms with the passing of one of Kenya’s most influential political figure
His passing on Wednesday comes after days of public speculation about his condition