The military honours accorded to the late former Prime Minster Raila Odinga culminated into the removal of the National Flag draped on his casket, which was then folded and handed over to Mama Ida Odinga, signifying the conclusion of the national assignment which begun on Wednesday.
Following the announcement of his demise, President William Ruto issued the order and directive that the late Odinga be accorded State Funeral, with military honours and the attendant state protocols be rendered and observed.
This was to honour the late Odinga for his lifelong contribution to the country’s political progress, governance and justice which have all lead to multi-party and a new constitution in 2010.
While eulogizing the late Odinga at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Technology where the funeral service was held, President Ruto made the country aware of his decision to accord the fallen political icon the highest of honours.
“I have discharged my responsibility to a friend, to a brother, to my mentor.” said President Ruto.
He added, “Many told me Raila was not president so we lower his stature a little but I told them, even if he was not president, he was the people’s president and so he be given the respect befitting a president.”
At Kang’o ka Jaramogi where the late opposition leader was interred, a 17-gun salute by KDF roared in the air amid cheers from mourners.
“I want to thank the security which did this. The armed forces which are under instruction from the President,” said Dr Oburu Odinga, Senator Siaya County.
He went on to further to ask the president to consider the KDF officers who secured the body since arriving in the country for the entire four day period for promotion.
“Your Excellency, the security which has been taking care of Raila. I would like to plead with you, they have done a great job and they have kept vigil and have been there for him all through, so You Excellency, give them a promotion. Just one grade wont be too much,” he told the president.
Odinga who died on Wednesday morning while undergoing treatment in India had his remains flown by the Indian Airforce upon orders by his long time friend Prime Minister Narendra Modi, from the Kerala State to Mumbai where his body was repatriated.
The KDF as instructed by the Commander-In-Chief, took charge of security and the late premier’s remains upon arrival at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
The heavy assignment kicked off with preparation and prayers for the departed at the airport before being taken to Kasarani Stadium under tight security by KDF and the National Police. This follows security lapses at the airport and the National Assembly where initial viewing of the boy was planned.
On the second day of mourning, under the watchful eye of the KDF pallbearers and morticians, remains of Odinga arrived at the National Assembly on the military gun carriage, which is used for state funerals.
After lying in state, KDF again escorted Odinga’s body to Nyayo Stadium for the national service and public viewing, this time with no security breaches.
Day three saw the body of Odinga airlifted from Nairobi to Kisumu aboard a KDF Cargo aircraft, the Leonardo C-27J Spartan with the call sign ENIGMA01. Like KQ203, the flight to Kisumu also had its call sign changed from C27J.
Due to the mammoth crowd witnessed in Kisumu, KDF was forced to change logistics yet again, opting to fly the remains of Odinga aboard a military chopper to the Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium in Mamboleo. The final leg also involved airlifting of the late opposition leader from Kisumu to his Opoda farm in Siaya County.
“In deed in this part of the world, we have never seen something like this. We have never seen a dignified sendoff than what we have seen here in Bondo. Mr President, thank you very much for according Raila this kind of sendoff,” said Dr Ida Odinga, the widow of the former premier.
At just a quarter past five o’clock Kenyan time, the late Raila Odinga was finally lowered to his grave for burial at Kang’o ka Jaramogi next to his father Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, Kenya’s first vice president and his mother Mary Mary Ajuma Oginga.
