Raila, 80, succumbed to cardiac failure on Wednesday morning after collapsing during his routine walk near an Ayurvedic treatment center in Ernakulam District, Kerala State.
NAIROBI, Kenya: The government of the Republic of Kenya has declared Friday, October 17, 2025, a public holiday to honour the late former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga, who died Wednesday, October 15, in India.
In a special gazette notice issued by the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration, Kipchumba Murkomen, the government invoked Section 3 of the Public Holidays Act to enable Kenyans across the country to pay tribute to the departed statesman.
“It is notified for the general information of the public that, in exercise of the powers conferred by section 3 of the Public Holidays Act, the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration declares that Friday, October 17, 2025, shall be a public holiday in honour of the departed former Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. Raila Amollo Odinga,” the notice read in part.
The declaration comes as the country continues to mourn the veteran opposition leader whose political career spanned over four decades and shaped Kenya’s democratic transition.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, who chairs the National Funeral Committee, confirmed that Odinga will be laid to rest on Sunday, October 19, in line with his personal wish to be buried within 72 hours of his passing.
Kindiki revealed that Raila’s body will arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on Thursday morning, where it will be received by President William Ruto and members of the Odinga family before lying in state.
“We have been advised by the family that it was Raila’s wish to be buried as soon as possible, within 72 hours, and that program has been respected,” Kindiki stated.
According to Devamatha Hospital in Kochi, India, Raila succumbed to cardiac failure on Wednesday morning after collapsing during his routine walk near an Ayurvedic treatment center in Ernakulam District, Kerala State.
Dr. Sr. Alphons, a cardiologist at the facility, confirmed that Raila had been battling underlying conditions, including diabetes, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, and deep vein thrombosis. Despite aggressive resuscitation efforts, he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival at the hospital.
“He was brought to our emergency department after collapsing during his morning walk. CPR was initiated before arrival, and we continued with full medical support in the ICU, but there was no pulse or measurable blood pressure,” Dr. Alphons said.
The death of Raila Odinga – a man many considered the father of modern Kenyan democracy – has plunged the nation into deep mourning, with thousands of mourners expected to gather across counties on Friday to mark the public holiday in his honour.
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