Raila Farewell: How authorities plan to avert chaos in Kisumu

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga State funeral procession from Parliament to Nyayo National stadium on October 17, 2025. [Boniface Okendo, Standard]

Security organs in Kisumu are competing against time to refine their security arrangements to avert any potential crisis ahead of the arrival of the body of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga in Kisumu on Saturday.

A mammoth crowd is expected to turn up to pay their last respect to a man who was the torch illuminating the region's political path. 

The Standard has established that both the county and national security organs have devised a strategy to ensure the seamless movement of the motorcade ferrying the body of the iconic leader.

A public viewing has been scheduled to take place at the Jomo Kenyatta stadium in Mamboleo, after which the body will be ferried by road to his Opoda home.

Security agencies have also altered the plan to ferry the body by road, and instead maintained that the chopper carrying his body will fly directly to the stadium for viewing.

There are fears the chaos that was witnessed at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and at Kasarani may replay in Kisumu.

The event, initially planned for Moi Stadium, has been relocated to Mamboleo to accommodate the large number of mourners anticipated to attend.

According to Governor Anyang' Nyong'o, all measures have been put in place to ensure that the farewell ceremony proceeds smoothly as he appealed for calm.

“We have taken the necessary precautions, although it’s not necessary to disclose all the details for security reasons. But residents should be sure that we have everything under control. This is their day, don’t spoil it. Let us make history as a community that bid farewell to our leader in a peaceful, decent, and civilized manner,” he said.

Nyong’o added that community cooperation was part of the wider strategy to ensure a dignified event. “Talking to our people, as we are doing now, is one of the precautions we have taken,” he said. “We want everyone to understand that this is not a political rally but a solemn occasion to honor a man who devoted his life to justice, democracy, and equality.

Nyanza Regional Commissioner Flora Mworoa, who accompanied Governor Nyong’o during an inspection exercise at the stadium, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to a safe and orderly event.

She urged residents across Nyanza to exercise restraint and maintain peace during the ceremony, particularly in light of the security breach witnessed in Nairobi when massive crowds overwhelmed officers at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport during the arrival of Odinga’s body.

“We are here to ensure that Saturday’s events go on smoothly and that everything is ready to receive the body of our fallen hero,” Mworoa said.

Kisumu County Commissioner Bernard Leparmorijo also confirmed that all critical security arrangements had been finalized. He assured residents that the movement of the late Prime Minister’s body from the airport to the stadium would be well coordinated to prevent any incidents.

“We have created a secure venue at Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium, deployed adequate security personnel to man the gates and the perimeter, and arranged for the body to be flown directly to the stadium to avoid chaos on the way,” said Leparmorijo.

He added that officers would be stationed strategically across the city to manage traffic, monitor crowd movement, and provide emergency support throughout the event.

“We want to ensure safety for everyone. This is a national event that requires discipline, coordination, and respect,” he said.

Mworoa reiterated that law enforcement agencies, county officials, and volunteers had been mobilized to handle crowd control and ensure smooth operations during the ceremony.

She said the multi-agency team had worked out detailed logistics covering transport, entry points, medical response, and emergency communication systems.