Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o accompanied by other officials to inspect ongoing preparation at Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium in Mamboleo ahead of the arrival of the body of the late former Prime Minister Raila Amollo Odinga this Saturday. FAITH MATETERegional Commissioner Flora Mworoa at the Jomo Kenyatta international stadium in Mamboleo where Raila Odinga’s body will be viewed./FAITH MATETEPreparations are ongoing ahead of the arrival of the body of the late former Prime Minister Raila Amollo Odinga this Saturday./FAITH MATETE
Security has been heightened in Kisumu ahead of the arrival of the body of the late former Prime Minister Raila Amollo Odinga on Saturday, with both national and county officials urging residents to maintain peace during the solemn occasion.
Speaking at the Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium in Mamboleo, Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o appealed to residents across Nyanza to uphold calm and dignity as they prepare to receive their fallen son.
“People in this region have peace. Let that be proven on Saturday so that you don’t let down our party leader, Raila Amollo Odinga, and his family,” Nyong’o said.
The Governor emphasized the need for Kisumu residents to set a national example in honouring Raila, who has been widely mourned as a symbol of Kenya’s struggle for democracy and justice.
“We must not let down the Kenyan nation and the international community. Let us go down in history as a community that said goodbye to a leader in a decent and civilized manner,” he added.
SECURITY AND PREPARATIONS
Regional Commissioner Flora Mworoa assured the public that all security measures are in place to ensure Saturday’s events proceed smoothly.
She said law enforcement agencies, county officials, and volunteers have been mobilized to coordinate crowd control and maintain order as thousands of mourners are expected to throng the city.
“As His Excellency the Governor has said, we are here to ensure that the events of Saturday go on very well and everything is set to receive the body of the former Prime Minister,” Mworoa stated.
The Commissioner appealed for calm and restraint from residents, noting that authorities had observed worrying incidents of disorder during similar events in other regions.
“I want to take this opportunity to request the residents of Kisumu and of Nyanza at large, who will be here on Saturday to receive the body of our fallen hero, to be very peaceful. Seeing what happened in Nairobi today, we are a bit worried about lawlessness, but I want to believe our people here in Kisumu will maintain peace so that we can send off our hero in peace as well,” she said.
CITY AWAITS HISTORIC FAREWELL
Thousands of mourners from across the country are expected to travel to Kisumu to view Odinga’s body before it proceeds to his rural home in Bondo for burial.
Businesses around the lakeside city are expected to slow down as residents turn out in large numbers to pay their last respects.
The late Raila Odinga’s body is expected to arrive in Kisumu under tight security as the region, long considered his political bastion, prepares for an emotional farewell to one of Kenya’s most influential leaders.