Raila to be buried at private ceremony attended 'only by few people' - Oburu announces

The late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga will on Sunday be buried at a private ceremony set to be attended by only a few select people, his family has announced.

Addressing mourners in Bondo, Siaya County, on Thursday, Raila’s elder brother Dr. Oburu Oginga, who is the co-chair of the State funeral committee, said the burial will be preceded by a ceremony to be held at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST).

Dr. Oginga, who is also the Siaya Senator, further explained to Raila’s supporters the presumably confusing statements that preceded news of the official announcement of his death, stating that they were hopeful of the ODM chief's full recovery after the treatment but that was not to be.

“We will give Raila a dignified send-off which he deserves, as a dignified son of this land. The programme will end with a burial ceremony at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology, and then later on Raila will be buried next to our mum and dad…in a private burial (ceremony) which will be attended only by a few people,” he said.

A State funeral service will on Friday be held for Raila at the Nyayo Stadium, which is expected to be attended by dignitaries and VVIPs from outside Kenya.

After the event, the body will be moved to his Karen home for an overnight stay. 

On Saturday morning, the body will leave Nairobi for Kisumu for public viewing at the Jomo Kenyatta stadium in Mamboleo, then afterwards travel by road from Kisumu to Bondo for an overnight stay.

His Sunday burial will conducted according to the traditions of the Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK), as announced by the State funeral committee co-chair Deputy President Kithure Kindiki.