Raila’s body to be moved to Lee Funeral Home instead of Karen after public viewing

The National Funeral Committee has announced a change in the programme for the late Raila Odinga’s funeral arrangements, saying his body will not be taken to his Karen residence for an overnight stay on Friday as earlier planned.

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party, in a statement on Friday evening, said the decision was made due to “unavoidable circumstances.”

ODM noted that after the ongoing public viewing at the Nyayo National Stadium, the body will instead be returned to the Lee Funeral Home for preservation.

“The national funeral committee wishes to announce to the public that due to unavoidable circumstances, the body of the HE. the late Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga will not be taken to his Karen residence for an overnight stay as earlier planned,” ODM Director of Communications Philip Etale stated.

“It will be taken back to the Lee Funeral Home for preservation in readiness for airlifting to Kisumu tomorrow (Saturday 18/10/2025) morning.”

Odinga’s body has been lying in state for public viewing at the Nyayo National Stadium, where thousands of mourners have turned up to pay their final respects ahead of his burial in Kisumu on Sunday.

The burial is scheduled for Sunday in Bondo, Siaya County, to be conducted in accordance with the traditions of the Anglican Church of Kenya to which Odinga belonged.