Military Show and Massive Crowd as Raila Odinga’s Body Receives Heroic Welcome in Kisumu

A somber yet electrifying atmosphere engulfed Kisumu on Saturday morning as the body of former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga arrived in the lakeside city, where thousands of mourners thronged the streets to pay their final respects to the man many called Baba.

The Kenya Air Force helicopter carrying Odinga’s remains, code-named ENIGMA01, touched down at Kisumu International Airport shortly after 7:40 a.m. under tight security.

The aircraft, draped in the national flag, received a ceremonial military water salute from fire tenders — a gesture of high honour reserved for distinguished statesmen.

Moments later, uniformed Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) pallbearers, marching in slow precision, transferred the casket—draped in the national flag—from the aircraft to a waiting military hearse as the KDF band played the solemn tune of Abide With Me.

The Kenya Air Force jet hands over Raila Odinga’s body to Kenya Air Force chopper that will directly lift the body to Mamboleo Grounds in Kisumu.

From the airport to Mamboleo Stadium, Kisumu was a sea of humanity.

Tens of thousands of mourners, waving orange flags and portraits of the late ODM leader, lined the 7-kilometre stretch, chanting liberation songs and freedom slogans that defined Odinga’s decades-long political struggle.

The motorcade, escorted by KDF trucks and National Police Service outriders, moved at a crawling pace as emotional supporters surged forward to catch a glimpse of the convoy. Some waved handkerchiefs and sang Baba, you’ll never walk alone, while others wept openly.

The NIS aircraft which lifted Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga’s body from Kisumu International Airport to Jomo Kenyatta Grounds in Mamboleo.

At Mamboleo International Stadium, a brief interdenominational service led by clerics from various faiths was held before the start of public viewing. The casket, placed on a raised platform draped in white and green, was surrounded by armed guards standing at attention.

Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o, addressing the mourners, urged residents to maintain calm and celebrate Raila’s life through unity and peace. “Let us honour Baba’s legacy not by sorrow alone, but by continuing his lifelong dream for justice and equality,” he said.

The event came just a day after a State Funeral at Nyayo Stadium, which drew leaders from across Africa and the world.

However, the ceremony had been briefly disrupted by a stampede that left several people injured, prompting tighter security measures in Kisumu.

Odinga’s body will lie in state at Mamboleo Stadium for public viewing throughout the day before being transported to his Bondo home in Siaya County on Sunday for the final burial rites.

The government has declared a seven-day national mourning period, during which flags will fly at half-mast. President William Ruto, who received the body at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on Thursday alongside Mama Ida Odinga, is expected to attend the Bondo service.

As dawn broke over the shimmering waters of Lake Victoria, Kisumu stood still — united in grief and pride — as it welcomed home a man whose name, struggle, and legacy will forever be etched in Kenya’s history.