Raila’s final flight home: KQ crew’s emotional in-flight tribute
NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 19 – It was an emotional journey home for the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga as Kenya Airways pilots and crew paid heartfelt Kenya breaking news | Kenya news today |..
✨ Key Highlights
Kenya Airways paid an emotional tribute to the late Raila Odinga, whose body was flown from India to Nairobi. The national carrier changed the call sign of the flight carrying his body to RAO001 and later serenaded passengers with his favorite song on another flight.
- The flight carrying Odinga's body was commanded by Captain Saviemaria Ondego.
- The flight's call sign was temporarily changed from KQ203 to RAO001 as a mark of respect.
- Upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, the plane received a ceremonial water-cannon salute.
- Captain Webster Otugha serenaded passengers with Odinga's favorite song, "Jamaica Farewell," on a later flight from France to Nairobi.
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Advans Expands to Kenya; Tributes Paid to Raila Odinga; Safarilink Denies Fare Hikes - October 2025
Global microfinance group Advans is expanding into East Africa, targeting Kenya to support small and medium enterprises with data-driven lending solutions. In other corporate news from the country, tributes were paid to the late Raila Odinga. Kenya Airways flew his body from India to Nairobi, changing the flight's call sign to RAO001 in his honor and serenading passengers with his favorite song on another flight. Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa also paid tribute, praising Raila Odinga as a selfless leader and democracy icon during a graduation ceremony at Meru University of Science and Technology. Meanwhile, in the aviation sector, Safarilink has denied social media claims made by Kileleshwa MCA Robert Alai of a sharp increase in airfares on the Nairobi–Kisumu route.
