African Heads of State Flock Raila's State Funeral at Nyayo National Stadium

Oct 17, 2025 - 11:50
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African Heads of State Flock Raila's State Funeral at Nyayo National Stadium

Led by President William Ruto, Kenyans gathered at the Nyayo National Stadium for the state funeral of former prime minister Raila Odinga.

The event celebrating the life of the statesman attracted thousands of Kenyans, who arrived at dawn to await the start of the ceremony which was graced by influential leaders in the country, the region and around the world.

Among the Kenyan crowds were heads of state and other dignitaries representing various African nations, who had come to offer their condolences on Friday.

He was accompanied by his Somali counterpart Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. They were both received at the Airport by Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale.

Tanzania was represented by its former President Jakaya Kikwete and Vice President Phillip Isdor Mpango.

They were received by former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka, who also just cancelled his UK trip to attend the state funeral.

"This morning at JKIA, I had the honour of welcoming former President of Tanzania, H.E. Jakaya Kikwete, and the Vice President, H.E. Dr. Philip Mpango, who came to Nairobi to pay their last respects to their dear brother and friend, Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga, EGH," Kalonzo relayed.

"Their presence shows just how deeply Raila’s life touched people beyond our borders."

Another East African nation represented at the funeral is South Sudan, whose Vice President, Rebecca de Mabior, is in the country to represent President Salva Kiir.

Rwanda's president, Paul Kagame, is being represented by the interior minister, Vincent Biruta. In his statement of condolence, he eulogised Raila for his dedication to public service during his lifetime.

On behalf of the people of Rwanda and on my own behalf, I extend my deepest condolences to the family of the Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga, to my brother, President William Ruto, and to the people of Kenya, on the passing of Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga," he said.

"His lifelong dedication to public service and his steadfast commitment to democracy, justice, and unity in Kenya and across Africa will be remembered for generations to come. We stand in solidarity with the government and people of Kenya during this time of national mourning."

All the leaders present had the opportunity to pay their last respects to where Raila’s casket lay and proceeded to greet Raila’s widow, Mama Ida Odinga, and her family.

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Josphat Mulama I am a passionate blogger tech enthusiast and founder of 8T8 Media a digital platform dedicated to sharing tech insights news updates and thought-provoking content. My journey into blogging began with a love for writing and a deep interest in how technology shapes our lives. Over time I expanded my focus to include not just tech but also political news current affairs and updates across fields like business education and lifestyle. Through 8T8 Media I aim to keep my audience informed with relevant and timely content that reflects real issues and developments around us. I break down complex tech topics into easy reads and share important news stories that matter to individuals and communities. My approach is rooted in authenticity consistency and a genuine desire to empower others with information. I believe that blogging is more than just writing it's about connecting people to knowledge ideas and opportunities. Whether you're into gadgets tech trends or just want to stay updated on what's happening around you my content is created to engage inform and inspire. 8T8 Media is my way of contributing to a more informed digital world and I'm proud to use my voice to share stories that matter.