The National Funeral Committee, chaired by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, has officially announced that the public viewing of the late Raila Odinga’s body has been moved from Parliament Buildings to Kasarani Stadium, citing overwhelming public turnout.
The decision was made after thousands of Kenyans gathered outside Parliament from early Thursday morning, causing security concerns and logistical challenges despite prior preparations for the viewing at the historic site.
All security arrangements and logistics that had been set up at Parliament have now been relocated to Kasarani Stadium, where authorities say a larger number of mourners can be accommodated safely and efficiently.
Several leaders from the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) including Babu Owino, Tim Wanyonyi, Senator Ledama ole Kina, and ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna have appealed to the public to cooperate and make their way to Kasarani instead.
“We are urging all mourners to leave Parliament and head to Kasarani where proper arrangements have been made to accommodate everyone,” said Sifuna during a press briefing outside Parliament.
The leaders acknowledged the difficulty of addressing the massive crowds but assured the public that the move is meant to ensure that all Kenyans have a fair chance to mourn and pay their last respects to the former Prime Minister.
They added that the decision to change the venue was based on the unexpectedly large number of mourners already gathered at Parliament and those accompanying the funeral convoy from JKIA to Lee Funeral Home.
Despite skepticism from some in the crowd, ODM leaders have continued to engage with the public, urging calm and emphasizing that Raila Odinga belonged to the entire nation, and arrangements must reflect that scale.
Kasarani Stadium, a venue with a higher capacity and enhanced infrastructure, is now expected to host the public viewing ahead of Friday’s State Funeral at Nyayo Stadium.
Trouble as security is breached at JKIA after Raila’s body arrives
