Wamuzi News Ke
In a last-minute alteration to the funeral itinerary, the body of the late Raila Odinga will spend the night at Lee Funeral Home rather than at his Karen residence, the funeral committee confirmed this afternoon.
The decision signals fresh logistical recalibration in the wake of overwhelming public mourning. The announcement, issued by a joint committee co-chaired by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and Raila’s brother Oburu Odinga, states that after the public viewing at Nyayo Stadium concludes, the body will be transferred to Lee Funeral Home for preservation ahead of its Saturday airlift to Kisumu.
Why the Change Matters — Logistical and Symbolic Stakes.
The shift away from Karen — Raila’s long-time residence — disrupts earlier funeral protocol and highlights tensions caused by record crowd sizes, security constraints, and preservation needs. Leaders originally planned a quiet night at the family home before burial rites proceed in his home region.
Lee Funeral Home, located in Nairobi, offers controlled facilities and centralized security, making it a more dependable option in the unpredictable environment of mass grief. In recent hours, police presence around Lee has surged.
The change also avoids exposing the family home to uncontrolled crowd surges, potential damage, or emotional overload from fans who have besieged other sites in recent days.
