There were deeply emotional scenes at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on the morning of Thursday, October 16, 2025, as the body of former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga arrived from India. The atmosphere was charged with grief, reverence, and disbelief as thousands gathered to welcome home the man fondly known as Baba.
Among those at the airport was Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir, a long-time ally and devoted supporter of the late statesman. Overcome by emotion, the governor broke down in tears upon seeing the casket draped in the Kenyan flag, his grief mirroring that of countless mourners across the nation.
Chaotic Scenes at the Airport
The solemn ceremony turned chaotic moments after the Kenya Airways flight RAO001 renamed from KQ203 in honour of Raila touched down at 9:33 a.m. The plane received a water cannon salute, a rare and symbolic gesture of national respect, marking the first time such an honour has been accorded to a Kenyan leader.
However, soon after the aircraft landed, thousands of supporters chanting Raila’s name broke through security barriers and surged toward the runway, overwhelming airport authorities. The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) and airport security personnel struggled to control the massive crowd, which carried portraits of Raila and waved Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) flags.
Due to the disorder, plans for a formal ceremonial reception led by President William Ruto were disrupted. The military was forced to swiftly escort the casket to Lee Funeral Home amid tight security, navigating through crowds that lined the airport roads in mourning.
A Nation United in Grief
Despite the tense scenes, the event carried a powerful message of unity. President Ruto, former President Uhuru Kenyatta, and leaders from across the political divide stood together on the tarmac, united in grief and respect for a man who had shaped Kenya’s democratic journey.
As the military band played somber tunes, mourners many waving Kenyan flags or wearing ODM colours bowed their heads in silence. Governor Nassir, along with other leaders and supporters, was seen weeping openly, reflecting the immense emotional weight of the moment.
Raila’s arrival home marks the beginning of a national mourning period, as Kenya collectively reflects on the life and legacy of a leader whose decades-long struggle for justice, equality, and democracy left an indelible imprint on the nation’s history.
