President William Ruto on Friday led state prayers for the late Raila Odinga as the body was moved from Parliament Buildings to Nyayo National Stadium for a public service attended by African Heads of State.
Nairobi, Kenya, Oct 17, 2025 – President William Ruto on Friday morning led a solemn state prayer service for the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga at Parliament Buildings, where the body had been lying in state since Thursday.
The ceremony, attended by top government officials, family members, and dignitaries, marked the beginning of the final leg of the national mourning program before the state funeral.
After the prayers, Odinga’s casket — draped in the national flag — was lifted from Parliament Buildings and is being escorted to Nyayo National Stadium, where thousands of mourners have gathered for a public prayer function and viewing of the body scheduled to run until 12 noon.
In a statement issued in Karen, Nairobi, the National Committee on the State Funeral of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, co-chaired by Deputy President Prof. Kithure Kindiki and Senator Oburu Odinga, thanked Kenyans for mourning peacefully and urged calm and dignity as the nation prepares to bid farewell to one of its most enduring political icons.
“The National Committee on the State Funeral of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga is grateful to the thousands of mourners who continue to mourn in dignity and requests for calm and order as the mourning continues into the second day tomorrow,” the statement read.
“The State Funeral Service will take place today between 9.00 am and 12 noon, and thereafter there will be public viewing of the mortal remains of the departed leader at the same venue,” the committee added.
At least seven Heads of State and former leaders from across Africa are attending the requiem mass at Nyayo Stadium. The dignitaries include:
Cyril Ramaphosa – President of South Africa
Emmerson Mnangagwa – President of Zimbabwe
Paul Kagame – President of Rwanda
Samia Suluhu Hassan – President of Tanzania
Yoweri Museveni – President of Uganda
Judith Suminwa Tuluka – Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo
Olusegun Obasanjo – Former Nigeria President
According to the funeral program, Odinga’s body will spend the night at his Karen home after the service before being flown to Kisumu on Saturday morning at 9:00 am for regional prayers and final tributes.
Odinga will finally be laid to rest on Sunday, October 19, 2025, at his Bondo home in Siaya County, in line with his wish to be buried within 72 hours of his passing.
