Orengo Recalls How Moi’s Govt Denied Jaramogi a State Funeral

Siaya Governor James Orengo has recalled how the late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga was denied a state funeral by the government of the late former President Daniel arap Moi.

Speaking during the burial of Raila Odinga at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST) in Bondo, on Sunday, October 19, 2025, Orengo said the government at the time only offered the family a single helicopter instead of full state honours.

“Many years ago, when we requested the government to give Jaramogi a state funeral, they refused,” Orengo said. “All they did was to offer us one helicopter, and we said no. We decided to take Jaramogi to his final resting place in Bondo without the state’s involvement.”

He went on to express gratitude to President William Ruto’s administration for according Raila Odinga a proper state funeral with full military honours, saying it was a first in the Nyanza region.

“I do not take it for granted that Raila has been given a state funeral. This is the first proper one, with full military participation, ever seen in Nyanza,” Orengo said.

“We have lost so many sons in Nyanza. We lost Mboya, we lost Argwings, we lost Ouko, but this is the first time we have seen a state funeral, and I want to thank you for this, and go on record as thanking you.”

Ruto stood with Raila

Orengo’s remarks came shortly after Raila’s elder brother, Oburu Oginga, revealed that President Ruto had played a key role in facilitating the late opposition leader’s medical treatment in India before his death.

Oburu said that when Raila’s health deteriorated, he approached President Ruto for help, and the Head of State immediately agreed to assist.

“From the time I told him Raila was unwell, he stood with us,” Oburu said.

He added that President Ruto kept close contact with the family, checking regularly on Raila’s condition until the day he passed away.

“President kept a vigil, and he always checked on Raila to know what was happening with him. The day Raila died, I first of all called him and told him he was in a very critical condition. I was told by my sister, Akinyi, that Adhiambo had called for India. So I called Adiambo,” Oburu recalled.

President Ruto later directed that Raila be accorded a state burial with full military honours. The Kenya Defence Forces coordinated the funeral, marking a rare moment of unity in Kenya’s political history.