Wamuzi News Ke
In a dramatic last-minute alteration to the farewell itinerary for the late former prime minister Raila Odinga, the funeral committee announced this afternoon that his body will be flown to Bondo from Kisumu’s Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium (Mamboleo), rather than being transported by road as initially planned.
The shift was confirmed by Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo amid heightened logistical and security concerns.According to the official statement, the decision was made after the venue at Mamboleo pulled in massive crowds, exceeding what had been expected and prompting fear of overcrowding and road-transport delays.
The flying option is intended to ensure timely and dignified arrival at his home county of Siaya ahead of the burial service.
Why the Change Matters.
The alteration from road to air transport signals multiple urgent pressures: shoulder-to-shoulder crowds, fragile crowd-control capacity, and the symbolic need to preserve protocols in a funeral watched by millions. Organisers cited “operational imperatives” and assured the public that all arrangements remain under tight supervision.
Officials also indicated that the air route would reduce travel time and avoid the transport corridor through Kisumu-Bondo that had already faced heavy traffic and logistical bottlenecks during prior stages of the mourning process.
What Happens Now.
Public Viewing in Kisumu: The body will lie in state at the Mamboleo Stadium this Saturday. The aviation transfer is scheduled for early evening following the publicly-advertised viewing period.
Flight Logistics: The aircraft conveying Odinga’s remains will depart Kisumu and land at Bondo airstrip, where a military honour guard is expected to receive the body and escort the cortege to the family home.
Burial Timeline: From Bondo, the funeral procession will move to the Kang’o ka Jaramogi grounds, where the official burial has been scheduled for Sunday. Organisers say the schedule remains unchanged despite the logistical pivot.
Implications & Fallout.
Observers say the switch underscores both the extraordinary turnout of mourners and the government’s heightened concern about security and crowd control. Should the air transfer proceed without incident, it may restore confidence in the funeral logistics. However, any hiccup would risk overshadowing the state-mourning process.
For mourners, the change may affect travel and viewing plans. Some had planned to line the road from Kisumu to Bondo — now they may miss that moment of procession. Political analysts point out that as the late Odinga’s body traverses the country by air rather than land, the imagery shifts — less road tribute, more militarised precision.
