NAIROBI, Kenya – Heavy security has been deployed at Lee Funeral Home ahead of the arrival of the body of former Prime Minister Raila Amollo Odinga, who died on Wednesday in India.
Armed police officers and Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) personnel have cordoned off the area, taking strategic positions along Valley Road and Argwings Kodhek Road, where military vehicles and road barriers were visible Thursday morning.
Only accredited officials, close family members, and senior government representatives were being allowed into the compound, as final preparations got underway.
Trade Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui and Secretary to the Cabinet Mercy Wanjau were among the first government officials to arrive at the funeral home to oversee arrangements ahead of the body’s transfer from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
“The final touches are underway. Once the body arrives, it will be prepared before being transported to Parliament to lie in state,” Kinyanjui told journalists outside the facility.
Kinyanjui described the late Raila as “a fearless statesman” who never hesitated to speak truth to power.
“Baba had nothing to fear. He would stand firm on what he believed and call out anyone — whether it was the Executive, Parliament, or even county assemblies,” he said.
At JKIA, President William Ruto is leading a high-powered delegation to receive the body, accompanied by former President Uhuru Kenyatta, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, and senior government and military officials.
The body, draped in the Kenyan flag, will be transported in a military open Land Rover from the airport to Lee Funeral Home under tight escort.
Morticians are expected to prepare the body before KDF officers escort it to Parliament Buildings, where members of the public will have an opportunity to pay their respects. Authorities have advised mourners to proceed directly to Parliament, as no viewing will be allowed at the funeral home.
The body will later be returned to Lee Funeral Home overnight before being moved to Nyayo Stadium on Friday morning for a national funeral service scheduled to start at 7 a.m.
Meanwhile, within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party, Raila’s elder brother and Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga has been appointed Acting Party Leader, following a meeting chaired by Deputy Party Leaders Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir and Simba Arati at a Nairobi hotel.
Raila Odinga will be accorded full military honours during his burial on Sunday at his Bondo home in Siaya County.
