Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has announced that the public will have an opportunity to view the body of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga on Friday, October 17.
Speaking on Thursday, October 16 when he briefed the nation on the burial arrangements of Raila, DP Kindiki said the public viewing will start at around 12 noon at Nyayo Stadium, shortly after the conclusion of a two-hour State funeral service.
“Tomorrow, there will be a state funeral service at Nyayo Stadium beginning 9 am. Guests are required to be settled by 8 am. This two-hour state event will comprise of military honours, a church sermon from ACK, euology by family and designated condolences and/or speeches from the leadership of Kenya and foreign heads of state and governments,” DP Kindiki said. “There will be a public viewing of the remains of Raila after that State event. The opportunity to view the body will be stretched from around 12 noon to as far as possible to give the highest number of mourners an opportunity to pay their last respect.”
Kindiki, flanked by other members of the committee on Raila’s state funeral at his Karen residence, said that they had received confirmation of attendance of “fairly significant number” of foregn heads of delegation.
The mortal remains of Raila touched down at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport at 9:30 am Thursday, October 16, and welcomed by thousands of mourners.
President William Ruto and former President Uhuru Kenyatta led the family and dignitaries in the solemn state reception at JKIA.
The military gun carriage carrying the remains of Raila was escoprted from JKIA all the way to Kasarani Stadium, a nearly 40-kilometer journey by thousands of mourners, arriving at a the fully-packed national stadium shortly after 2:30 pm.
Upon arrival, chaos was witnessed with police officers forced to fire teargas to disperse the surging crowds that had filled the stadium. In the end, military honours, prayers and viewing of the body were done in the attendance of President Ruto, former President Uhuru, family, dignitaries and top military command of the country.
