Friday, October 17 Declared Public Holiday for Raila Odinga’s Burial
NAIROBI, Oct 15 — The Government of Kenya has declared Friday, October 17, 2025, a public holiday to allow the nation to mourn and pay final respects to the late Raila Amolo Odinga, the former Prime Minister and long-serving opposition leader who died earlier this week in Keral..
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The Government of Kenya has declared Friday, October 17, 2025, a public holiday to honor the late Raila Amolo Odinga, former Prime Minister and long-serving opposition leader. Odinga, aged 80, passed away on Wednesday, October 15, from a cardiac arrest in Kerala, India, and will be buried at his Bondo home in Siaya County.
- The holiday will allow Kenyans to mourn and pay respects to a statesman dedicated to justice, democracy, and national reconciliation.
- President William Ruto described Odinga as a "towering figure in Kenya’s democratic journey" whose leadership shaped the nation's political history.
- The funeral will include both state honors and traditional Luo rites, with dignitaries from across Africa and beyond attending, and security on high alert for large crowds.
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Events Following Death of Former PM Raila Odinga: Body Arrives, Public Holiday Declared, and Chaos at Viewing - October 2025
The body of former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga, who passed away on October 15 in Kerala, India, from a cardiac arrest, arrived at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on Thursday morning. The Government of Kenya has declared Friday, October 17, 2025, a public holiday to honor the late leader, who will be buried at his Bondo home. The arrival of his remains at JKIA caused a temporary suspension of airport operations due to a large influx of mourners. During a public viewing at Kasarani Stadium, chaos erupted as police used tear gas and gunshots to control overwhelming crowds, prompting Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen to urge police to cease the use of force. In the wake of his death, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has appointed his brother, Siaya Senator Dr. Oburu Oginga, as its acting party leader.
