PHOTOS: Raila Odinga’s Body Lying-in-State In Parliament

A sombre mood engulfed Parliament Buildings on Friday morning as President William Ruto arrived to view the body of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who lies in state.

The President, who arrived at around 8:15 a.m., appeared emotional as he paid his final respects to the late opposition leader.

Ruto was accompanied by First Lady Rachel Ruto.

Clad in dark attire, the president walked slowly toward the casket, bowing their heads in silence before moving to sign the condolence book. President Ruto spent several minutes penning his message of tribute.

Moments later, Raila’s sister, Ruth Odinga, and his children Raila Odinga Jr. and Winnie Odinga approached the casket.

Raila Odinga Junior pays tribute to his father as he lay in state in parliament.

Raila Jr. performed a short cultural ritual beside his father’s body, as the family stood in quiet reflection.

He carried the fly whisk above the father’s body.

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, and Senate Speaker Amason Kingi were among the senior leaders who also paid their last respects.

Emotions ran high as mourners broke into song “Pamoja na wewe! Pamoja na wewe!” as cries and wails filled the air.

Some officials fought to hold back tears, while others wept openly

“It is still hard to believe Baba is gone,” said one mourner, visibly shaken. “He carried the hopes of so many Kenyans.”

The President was received at Parliament by Speaker Wetang’ula and his Senate counterpart Kingi before joining Chief Justice Martha Koome and several Members of Parliament in the viewing chamber.

The solemn ceremony comes ahead of the State Funeral scheduled for Saturday at Nyayo National Stadium from 9 a.m., where world leaders are expected to attend.

At Parliament, officers from the Kenya Defence Forces and the National Police Service formed a tight security ring around the building as preparations got underway.

Raila’s body, draped in the national flag, was received by senior government officials, clergy, and family members before being taken into the main foyer of Parliament for the brief lying-in-state ceremony.

The body of Raila Odinga lying in state in parliament.

Thousands of security personnel were deployed to ensure safety during the State Funeral of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga at Nyayo Stadium, Nairobi, on Friday.

Police said up to 10,000 officers had been mobilized and deployed in and around the stadium to maintain order.

Nairobi’s head of traffic operations, Joseph Chirchir, announced that roads near the stadium would be closed to enhance movement and security.

He advised motorists to use alternative routes from Bunyala Road to the city centre.

The personnel deployed included officers from the General Service Unit (GSU), the military, and other special units to ensure that only those arriving by 8 a.m. were allowed into the stadium.