CS MURKOMEN DECLARES FRIDAY OCTOBER 17 PUBLIC HOLIDAY

The government has designated Friday, October 17, 2025, as a national public holiday to honour the late former Prime Minister, Raila Amollo Odinga.  The announcement was made via a special gazette notice by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, invoking the Public Holidays Act.

This day of observance will allow the nation to collectively reflect on the legacy of the veteran statesman, a figure in Kenya’s democracy and constitutional reform. A state funeral is scheduled for the same day at Nyayo Stadium.

The national mourning period continues, with flags to remain at half-mast until his burial. While the former Prime Minister expressed a wish to be buried within 72 hours, a detailed schedule for the repatriation and subsequent events has been released by the burial committee.

Per the four-day state funeral programme released by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, President Ruto and members of Odinga’s family will receive his body upon arrival at JKIA on Thursday, then escort it to the Lee Funeral Home.

From noon, it will be moved to the Parliament buildings in Nairobi for public viewing until 5 p.m. A state funeral service is scheduled for Friday at Nairobi’s Nyayo Stadium, after which Odinga’s body will be moved to his Karen home for an overnight stay.

It will be taken to Kisumu on Saturday morning for public viewing at the Moi Stadium, before travelling by road to Bondo for an overnight stay ahead of the Sunday interment in line with his dictates that he be buried within 72 hours of his death.