Ruth Odinga calls for calm as Fidel's body flown home

Kisumu, Kenya: As Kisumu and Siaya  prepare to receive the body of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga's son Fidel, Raila's sister and Kisumu County Deputy Governor Ruth Odinga has called on the residents to be peaceful during the burial.

Ms Odinga, who visited the Kang'o Kajaramogi home to inspect preparations for the burial, asked relatives, friends and area residents to accord her nephew a decent send-off.

Kisumu and Siaya counties' residents received the information of Fidel's death with shock and bitterness and demanded thorough investigations into the matter.

A section of Kisumu residents held a procession to express their shock over the death on Tuesday, moments after the news broke.

A similar scene was also witnessed at Fidel's Karen home where friends protested outside the compound over the death they suspected could have been induced. This had brought fears that the residence may turn chaotic during the burial.

Odinga however asked the residents to tone down their emotions ahead of the burial expected to be attended by more than 10,000 mourners.

"We understand the shock that came with this death but we expect us to sober up and accord Fidel the respect he deserves. He was  a man who loved peace and made friends with everybody hence we would not wish to see any unrest during his funeral," said the deputy mayor.

Final mass

The local funeral committee chaired by Siaya Deputy Governor Ouma Onyango has released a programme for the burial starting today.

The body will be flown to Kisumu and taken to Jomo Kenyatta Sports Ground for viewing, before being ferried to Raila's home in Opoda farm, Siaya  for an overnight stay and viewing, followed by a Coptic Church service.

It will then be moved to Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology for final mass.