🇰🇪 THE VAGABOND NEWS | EAST AFRICA DESK REPORT
Headline: Raila Odinga Laid to Rest After Days of National Mourning and Tragedy
By The Vagabond News East Africa Bureau
Published: October 19, 2025 | Bondo, Siaya County, Kenya
Kenya bid farewell to its revered opposition leader, Raila Odinga, who was laid to rest today at his ancestral home in Bondo, Siaya County. The burial ceremony followed several days of national mourning and public memorials, which were marred by tragic incidents resulting in multiple fatalities and injuries.
Final Tribute to a Political Icon
Raila Odinga, who passed away on October 15, 2025, at the age of 80 in India, was honored with a state funeral that included full military honors. The ceremony featured a 17-gun salute, and his coffin was draped with the Kenyan flag. Thousands of mourners, including dignitaries from across Africa, gathered to pay their respects at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology in Bondo.
The late leader was interred beside his father, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, Kenya’s first vice president and a prominent independence figure. The site, known as the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Mausoleum, has been a place of historical significance and cultural heritage for the Luo community.
A Week of National Grief and Chaos
The period leading up to Odinga’s burial was marked by widespread public mourning. However, the events were overshadowed by violence and disorder. On October 16, during a public viewing in Nairobi, tensions escalated, leading to confrontations between mourners and security forces. Police fired live ammunition and used tear gas to disperse the crowds, resulting in at least five deaths and hundreds of injuries.
The unrest continued as mourners stormed Nairobi’s international airport upon the arrival of Odinga’s body, disrupting a military ceremony and halting operations for several hours. The chaos prompted authorities to relocate the public viewing to a larger venue at the Moi International Sports Centre to accommodate the massive crowds.
Political Uncertainty Post-Burial
Raila Odinga’s death has left a significant void in Kenya’s political landscape. Known affectionately as “Baba” (father), Odinga was a staunch advocate for democracy and played a pivotal role in the country’s political reforms. His five unsuccessful presidential bids and tenure as prime minister from 2008 to 2013 underscored his commitment to public service.
President William Ruto, who had previously signed a political pact with Odinga earlier this year, attended the burial and emphasized the need for unity within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), Odinga’s political party. The president called for the party to remain cohesive and prepare for the upcoming 2027 general elections.
Despite the calls for unity, internal divisions within ODM have surfaced, raising concerns about the party’s future direction and its role in the next government. The political uncertainty following Odinga’s passing has left many questioning the stability of Kenya’s political environment in the lead-up to the 2027 elections.
© 2025 The Vagabond News | East Africa Bureau
Edited by: The Vagabond News Editorial Team
Sources: Associated Press, Reuters, Al Jazeera, The Guardian
