Live blog: Another change made in Raila's final journey ahead of burial

Another change has been made on Raila Odinga's final journey to his resting place in Bondo, Siaya County with the comiitee overseeing his state funeral confirming that the body will not be transported by road as initially planned.

The body will be flown to Bondo from Mamboleo grounds where thousands are still waiting to get a chance to bid him farewell.

What may have informed the change

Thousands crowds that turned up at Mamboleo grounds to view the body of the former Prime Minister may have informed the decision with the exercise anticipated to end later.

The exrecise was also started later than initially planned as security agencies had a difficult time controlling the crowds.

READ: He died in my arms - Winnie Odinga narrates Raila's final moments [Video]

Residents had also mobilised themeselves to accompany the body from Kisumu all the way to Bondo.

This would have slowd down the movement, with thousands others expected to line up the roads leading to his home as well as at towns located along the way.

The viewing extended to last past 3 pm so as to accommodate thousands that are still streaming in.

Below is a timeline of key events on Saturday, October 18 2025.

4:14: The chopper lands in Bondo with the body for overnight stay at his Opoda Farm house and and vigil.

3:51 pm: The military plane carrying the body of Raila Odinga gets airbone at Mamboleao ground, heading to Bondo.

3:10 pm: Public viewing of the body comes to an end as emotions run high. Thousands miss out as time runs out with grief still hanging in the air.

3:38 pm: Raila's body is loaded in into military chopper, ready to be airlifted to Bondo. The body will spend the night at the deceased's house at Opoda farm.

2:34 pm: Mama Ida Odinga addresses mourners and the press from Opda farm. She appeals for peace and order, urging mourners not to be rowdy.

12: 40 pm: Mama Ida Odinga arrives at their Bondo home in the company of Rosemary Odinga for the first time since the death of the formers Prime Minister.

10: 15 am: Emergency response teams respond to hundreds of mourners who fainted upon viewing the body of the former Prime Minister.

All through Saturday morning: Delegations continued to stream in to moutrn Raila Odinga at his Opoda farm.

Busia Governon Paul Otuoma arrived donning traditional mourning attire and broughts gifts, including cattle.

Trans Nzoia governor George Natembeya delivered several bulls at Raila's Op[oda farm, eulogising the ODM leader as a true patriot who stood for what is right.

Jeremian Kioni arrived in Bondo ahead of Raila Odinga's burial on Sunday. He eulogised him as a uniting figure who fought for ordinary citizens and forged a united nation across the political divide.

A delegation representing Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi arrives at Opoda farm withgifts including cattle and chicken. The gifts were received by Bondo MP Shadrack Ochanda.

READ: Why Gachagua is missing in action in Raila's final journey: Insider's account

9:41 am: Viewing of the body of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga starts at Mamboleo grounds in Kisumu after a brief prayer service.

Security agencies had a difficult time controlling the crowd, with some delays in the program.

9:20 am: Raila's body is wheeled into the dais.

8:56 am: The body is offloaded in readiness for wheeling to the main dais.

READ: When Ida was forcefully retired by Moi's government for being Raila's wife

8:47 am: The helicopter carrying the body lands at Mamboleo grounds as a cloud of grief engulfs Kisumu. Residents wail, and chant with some climbing trees and water towers to catch a glimpse of the casket bearing the body.

8:35: The military helicopter carrying the remains of the former Prime Minister takes off from Kisumu International Airport heading to Mamboleo grounds.

7:20 am: Military aircraft codenamed ENIGMA01 bearing the remains of the former Prime Minister lands in Kisumu and is accorded a water canon salute.

Military personnel load the body only a helicopter for onward transportation to Mamboleo grounds.