- Mourners gathered at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST) in Bondo to pay their last respects to Raila Amolo Odinga, a great leader in Kenyan politics.
- Emotions abounded as leaders, families, and citizens shared moving moments in the funeral service and funeral at Kang’o Ka Jaramogi.
- TUKO.co.ke brings you eight photos of the event that ended the era of one of the most prominent politicians in Kenya
Thousands of mourners from Kenya and abroad gathered in Bondo to bid farewell to Raila Amolo Odinga, a Kenyan whose name is etched in the country’s political history.
Source: UGC
From dawn to dusk, each photo told a story of love, grief and legacy, depicting a day that has left many Raila supporters in deep mourning.
TUKO.co.ke brings you 10 emotional photos from the funeral service of the former Prime Minister and his final burial in Kang’o Ka Jaramogi.
1. Raila’s body leaves Opoda Farm for JOOUST
The day began with a special car procession from Opoda Farm, passing through long lines of mourners who stood by the roadside to pay their last respects.
While waving banners and singing songs in praise of the late leader, many could not hold back tears when the casket arrived at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST).
Source: UGC
2. Ruto and other leaders attend the service
The event attracted prominent national and international leaders, a sign of the great impact Raila had on Kenya’s political and democratic journey.
President William Ruto led the nation in mourning, accompanied by the retired President Uhuru Kenyatta and former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, who was a longtime friend of Odinga.
The meeting was held under tight security, with the Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) overseeing official military procedures.
Source: UGC
3. Ruto tells about Raila’s last days
President William Ruto gave a detailed and emotional account of the former Prime Minister’s final days, revealing how health challenges led to his death in India.
According to the President, Raila had been struggling with health problems for some time, which made him and his family members urge him to focus on treatment.
He explained that Raila visited health centers in Dubai, the United States, and a Canadian hospital located in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), but his condition continued to be fragile despite these efforts.
Source: UGC
4. Ruto recounts the day Raila died
Ruto also spoke about a WhatsApp message he received from Raila Odinga Junior the day the politician died.
The leader of the ODM party died on Wednesday, October 15, in India, where he was receiving treatment for an undisclosed illness.
That morning when Raila died, Ruto received several messages before Winnie officially confirmed that her father had died.
Source: UGC
5. Oburu congratulates Winnie
Emotions ran high when Raila’s elder brother, Dr. Oburu Oginga, when he recounted his sincere devotion to his daughter Winnie Odinga in the last days of his father’s life.
He told mourners that Winnie had planned to travel to Arusha on the day her father suddenly fell ill, but left everything to take care of him.
He accompanied her on a medical trip to India hoping to return with her in good health, but it was not possible.
Source: UGC
6. The crowd burst into tears as the body went to the funeral
The atmosphere in the JOOUST region was filled with deep sadness as mourners wept bitterly as Raila Odinga’s body began its final journey to Kang’o Ka Jaramogi.
Women wept in public, men raised their flags with tears streaming down their faces, and the cries of the crowd could be heard throughout the campus.
For them, the bitter truth began to sink in that this was the last time they would see the person they had loved and respected for decades.
Source: Facebook
7. Raila was buried with his hat and tail
Raila was buried in Kang’o Ka Jaramogi in a private ceremony attended by family and friends from the political arena.
The beloved leader was given the honor of 17 gunfights by the Kenya Defense Forces after his body was lowered into the grave.
Raila was buried with two of his favorite things, his flywhisk and his white hat, which were placed on top of his coffin.
8. Raila’s wife and children cry when the body is lowered
Raila’s wife, Mama Ida Odinga, children and other relatives were seen wiping away tears as they threw soil at the grave.
Winnie, who was with her father when he died, was seen with tears in her eyes as she stood by the grave as it was covered.
President Ruto, retired President Uhuru Kenyatta, ODM party members, and other leaders laid wreaths at Raila’s grave.
Source: UGC
Each photo from the funeral tells a story beyond sadness, a story of perseverance, hope, and people who found their voice through one person’s lifelong struggle for justice.
As the cameras rolled their final shots, one thing was clear: Dad may be buried, but his spirit still walks with Kenya.
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Source: TUKO.co.ke
