AfriPulse
Welcome to our live updates as the country accords Raila Odinga a State Funeral at Nyayo National Stadium on the second day of the four-day funeral programme.
We will document all the happenings today, Friday October 17, across the country.
Raila’s State Funeral: Friday October 17, 2025
3:28 pm
The body of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga will spend the night at the Lee Funeral Home instead of at his Karen home as had earlier been planned.
2:30 pm
Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo and other politicians allied to the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) arrive at Kisumu ahead of a planned service at the Mamboleo Showgrounds
2:00 pm
Back at his ancestral home in Bondo, Raila’s grave, set to be next to the Jamarogi Oginga Odinga mausoleum, has already been dug. A tree situated next to the mausoleum has been uprooted as Raila’s family mulls building the former Prime Minister’s own mausoleum.
1:45 pm
Kenyans continue to view the body of Raila at Nyayo. Police and military working in tandem to ensure no chaos. A long queue for those interested in viewing Raila’s body has been formed, with soldiers and police officers flanking it on both sides to ensure organisation.
1:15 pm
Health Principal Secretary Ouma Oluga assures Kenyans of the government’s preparedness in dealing with medical emergencies. Notes that the Health Ministry has deployed over 20 ambulances to Nyayo National Stadium.
1:00 pm
Mourners view the body of former PM Raila Odinga. Military and NYS personnel set to oversee exercise that could take several hours.
12:50 pm
Ruto’s speech ends, signalling the end of the State Funeral service. The military lead attendees in singing the national anthem, with the final viewing of Raila’s body (in Nairobi) set to be the next course of action.
12:45 pm
“I owe you” – President William Ruto speaks on former Prime Minister Raila Odinga in his speech. Ruto credits him for always putting the nation first, and working for the greater good for the Republic.
“ To you Baba, I am truly and eternally grateful that our paths crossed… History will judge Raila kindly; he was there whenever the country needed him.” – Ruto
12:30 pm
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta mourns Raila as a beacon of peace, democracy and human rights in Kenya. “Our history in this country is not complete without Raila as number one,” he says. Uhuru urges Kenyans to maintain the ideals of Raila for eternity.
12:15pm
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki acknowledges condolences from regional and international leaders such as the African Union Commission (AUC) Commission chairperson Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and the United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres.
12:09 pm
Mama Ida Odinga mourns her husband, Raila Odinga, looks back at their 52-year marriage. She reveals that Raila loved peace, disliked dishonesty and thanks Kenyans for mourning Raila.
11:50 am
My brother died on my birthday – Raila’s brother Oburu Odinga says as he pays tribute to Raila, provides anecdotes on their early life, revealing he was a top student, good in sports, especially football.
“He died in my arms. He died strong. With dignity and with pride. You all must be proud of that. The king is dead, but long live the crown” -> Winnie Odinga
“Dad I want to assure you that I will take care of our family. Thank you for giving me your name and for never heaping the weight of it on me” -> Raila Odinga Jr
11:00 am
Pastor David Kodia, Bishop of the Anglican Bondo Diocese, wows the crowd with a moving sermon. Crowd chants Igwe! Igwe! as ODM MPs wave flags and white handkerchiefs.
10:48 am
One of the religious leaders at Raila’s church service pleads with the crowd to maintain calm. Chants, vuvuzelas and whistles have been ringing in the air throughout the entire service.
10:25 am
10:22 am
The family of Raila Odinga pay their respects to him at the Nyayo National Stadium.
10:15 am
The church service, led by the Anglican Church of Kenya, starts as dignitaries settle at the Nyayo National Stadium.
9:47 am
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s body arrives at the Nyayo National Stadium to a raucous reception. The body, heavily guarded by the military, proceeds on a lap of honour across the stadium.
9:35am
President William Ruto arrives at Nyayo National Stadium.
9:33 am
Former Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete arrives at Nyayo National Stadium.
9:32 am
Mama Ida Odinga, flanked by her daughter Rosemary Odinga, arrive at Nyayo National Stadium.
9:28 am
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, former President Uhuru Kenyatta arrive at Nyayo National Stadium for Raila’s State Funeral.
9: 17 am
Wiper leader and former Raila Odinga running mate in the 2013 and 2017 elections has arrived at Nyayo Stadium; he cancelled his 10-day tour of the UK yesterday and flew back this morning.
9:17 am
Raila Odinga’s body is loaded back onto the military gun carrier as the procession sets off from the Parliament Buildings for the Nyayo National Stadium.
9:00 am
At least seven Heads of State, including Uganda’s Yoweri Museveni, Tanzania’s Samia Suluhu, Rwanda’s Paul Kagame, and South Africa’s Ramaphosa, expected to attend. Former Tanzania President Jakaya Kikwete already in Kenya.
8:55 am
Security beefed up at Nyayo Stadium as Kenyans continue to fill the stadium. Leaders of the United Opposition arrive at Nyayo.
8:50 am
Members of Parliament view Raila’s body as he lies in State at Parliament Buildings.
8:38 am
Leaders of the United Opposition including Martha Karua, Fred Matiang’i, Justin Muturi, Eugene Wamalwa and Mukhisa Kituyi join mourners at Parliament Building to view body of Raila Odinga.
President William Ruto gets emotional while viewing the body of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga on Friday, October 17, 2025.
PCS
8:23 am
Raila Odinga’s body lies in state at Parliament Buildings; emotional President William Ruto leads the viewing.
8:19 am
Mourners break into songs and praise at Nyayo Stadium as they await the state funeral to begin; several foreign dignitaries already at Nyayo Stadium.
President William Ruto arrives at Parliament Buildings where Raila Odinga’s body is lying in state, on Friday, October 17, 2025.
PCS
8:08 am
President William Ruto and First Lady Mama Rachel Ruto arrive at Parliament Buildings; they are received by Speakers Wetang’ula, Kingi, CJ Martha Koome, and CDF Charles Kahariri.
8:05 am
Large numbers observed at Nyayo National Stadium as Raila’s State Funeral expected to begin soon. Kenyans had to be seated at the stadium by 8:30am as per government instructions.
7:57 am
The formation at Parliament Building lead by the two Speakers and the CJ dissolves. It is not yet clear what the programme at Parliament is; security has been heightened around the Parliament Buildings, with officers manning all key roads around Parliament.
7: 49 am
The Nairobi Traffic Commandant announces that the flow of traffic through Uhuru Highway will be completely sealed off ahead of the state funeral at Nyayo Stadium.
7:43 am
Security officers from multiple agencies, including the GSU, AP and anti-riot police, line the roads around Parliament and Nyayo Stadium. Vehicles are already being diverted from Uhuru Highway.
7: 34 am
President Ruto yet to arrive as members of the Executive join Legislators at Parliament Buildings; The detour to Parliament was not part of the initial programme. Raila is expected to lie in state at Parliament before being taken to Nyayo Stadium later.
7:32 am
The State Funeral at Nyayo National Stadium expected to last two hours after which the public will be allowed to view the body until later in the day.
7:26 am
President William Ruto is expected to join other leaders at the Parliament Buildings, where Raila’s body will lie in state as the nation continues to mourn.
7:24 am
Chief Justice Martha Koome joins Senate Speaker Amason Kingi, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, and the majority and minority leaders of both Houses, as well as MPs and parliamentary staff, at the Parliament Buildings as Raila’s body is brought to Parliament.
7:19 am
Mourners troop to Nyayo ahead of the funeral service; the stadium is almost full.
7:11 am
There will be a funeral service at Nyayo Stadium from around 9am with dignitaries and heads of foreign heads of delegation expected to attend.
Thereafter, there will be a second public viewing of the body in Nairobi before the body is taken to Raila’s Karen home for a night vigil.
6:55 am
Members of Parliament expected to have a viewing session before the body is taken to Nyayo National Stadium.
Military procession carrying Raila Odinga’s body arrives at the Parliament Buildings.
6:50 am
The body of Raila Odinga arrives at Parliament Buildings.
6:39 am
The procession carrying the body of Raila Odinga leaves Lee Funeral Home through Valley Road into Kenyatta Avenue as it makes its way to Parliament Buildings.
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga
Source: Kenyans.co.ke | Read the Full Story…
