The National Committee on the State Funeral of the late Prime Minister Raila Odinga has confirmed that public viewing of his remains will be extended.
This decision follows the conclusion of the first day of national mourning. The public will have another opportunity to pay their final respects following the State Funeral Service scheduled for today, Friday.
The committee is led by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki. He addressed the media late on Thursday night. This briefing took place after the massive public viewing concluded at Kasarani Stadium.
Day One: A Journey of Mourning
Thursday saw thousands of mourners accompany the late Prime Minister Roinga’s motorcade.
The body was escorted from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA). The journey stretched nearly 40 kilometres to Kasarani Stadium.
The procession arrived shortly after 2:30 p.m. Dignitaries, the top military command, and the family gathered at Kasarani. President William Ruto and former President Uhuru Kenyatta were in attendance.
Military honours, prayers, and the official viewing of the body were conducted there. The committee expressed its gratitude to the thousands of people who continued to mourn the leader with dignity.
Why the Viewing is Extended
The National Committee intends to allow the maximum number of people to mourn the departed leader. Deputy President Kindiki confirmed that public viewing will resume after the State Funeral event at Nyayo Stadium.
“There will be another opportunity and we will stretch that opportunity from around 12:00 noon to as far as possible to give the highest number of mourners an opportunity to mourn and pay their last res respects to their departed leader."
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The viewing had initially been intended to extend as far as necessary on Thursday. This was to prevent any mourner from doubting the collective desire to mourn the late Prime Minister as much as possible.
Friday’s State Service Logistics
The main event is taking place on Friday, 17th October 2025, is the State Funeral Service. It will take place at Nyayo Stadium.
The service was scheduled to begin at 9:00 a.m. The event was planned to last for two hours.
The service was be comprehensive. It includes military honours. There was a church sermon delivered by the Anglican Church of Kenya.
The programme also included a eulogy from the family and designated condolences. Speeches will be delivered by the leadership of Kenya and foreign heads of state and government.
International Condolences and Committee Update
The government has confirmed receiving formal condolences from many heads of state. These messages have arrived from East Africa, the wider African continent, and other continents around the world.
A significant number of foreign heads of delegations have also confirmed their attendance at the highest level.
The government had declared Friday a public holiday. This allowed Kenyans to mourn the late Prime Minister Roinga more conveniently.
"We are grateful to the thousands of mourners who continue to mourn him in dignity and requests for calm and order..." Kindiki announced.
The next official briefing from the National Committee is scheduled for Friday evening. It is set for 6:30 p.m.
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