Nairobi: Interior Principal Secretary (PS), Dr. Raymond Omollo, has hinted that the time for viewing the body of the late Prime Minister Raila Odinga will be extended if all mourners have not managed to view it by the set 3:00 pm. The PS noted that the viewing exercise which is expected to end at 3pm, was progressing well, adding that if by that time all mourners had not have viewed the body, then an extension shall be granted.
According to Kenya News Agency, Dr. Omollo urged mourners who had already paid their respects to make way for others, noting that security officers and local youth volunteers were coordinating the exercise smoothly. Dr. Omolo commended Kisumu residents for maintaining calm and order as thousands of mourners thronged the Jomo Kenyatta Stadium, Mamboleo, to view the body of former Prime Minister, Raila Odinga.
Speaking at the Stadium, Saturday afternoon, Dr. Omollo said the government was satisfied with the conduct of residents, noting that the day's events reflected the dignity befitting the late opposition leader. 'I want to take this opportunity to congratulate and appreciate the people of Kisumu. We asked them to accord the Right Honorable Raila a decent send-off, and they have lived up to that,' said Dr. Omollo.
The PS, who was accompanied by local leaders including Members of Parliament and Members of the County Assembly, assured mourners that everyone would have an opportunity to view the body before it is flown to Bondo later in the evening. He explained that the move to transfer the body before nightfall was in line with the funeral Committee's schedule, as preparations for Sunday's burial in Bondo reached their final stage.
'We are in the last hours as his wishes were, to finally lay him to rest. From here the body will be flown to Bondo because by the time the viewing ends, it will be a bit late, and we need to get him there before it is very late,' he said. Dr. Omollo appealed for continued peace in Bondo and across the country during the final ceremony, which will be attended by President William Ruto, regional leaders, and dignitaries from across the continent.
He described the outpouring of grief and unity witnessed since Odinga's body arrived from India as unprecedented in Kenya's history, saying it reflected the stature of the veteran politician. 'In the history of this country, there has never been anything like it in terms of a final send-off, and it can only be Raila Odinga. We are all branches of that big tree, that big giant that has taken a bow,' he said.
The PS also thanked President William Ruto for what he termed as the government's support in ensuring a dignified farewell, noting that Odinga's decision to work with the President in forming a broad-based government was in line with his values of peace and unity. 'The Right Honorable Raila Odinga did not make a mistake by joining His Excellency the President to form the broad-based government because that was his wish. We are safe in the hands of President Ruto, and we thank him for giving our son the best send-off,' Dr. Omollo said.
He further paid tribute to the Odinga family, including Mama Ida, Winnie, Rosemary, and Junior for their resilience and contribution to the nation, assuring them that the government would uphold Raila's legacy. Odinga will be laid to rest at his Bondo home on Sunday, in a ceremony expected to draw thousands of mourners from across Kenya and beyond.