President William Ruto Statement on the Death of Raila Odinga

THE FORMER Prime Minister’s central role in shepherding Kenya into a new constitutional dispensation is a towering legacy that immortalises him. Kenya is undoubtedly a much better place today because of the struggles, sacrifice, leadership, vision, and courage of a son of the soil, who never tired in the pursuit of a better Kenya.

AS WE MOURN THE PASSING of an icon, we rejoice in the lifelong companionship he enjoyed with his beloved wife, Mama Idah Odinga, and his extended family. Our sincere sympathy to his children – Rosemary Odinga, Raila Odinga Junior, Winnie Odinga and their families, the entire Oginga Odinga family and to all Kenyans. As the former Prime Minister served Kenya, Africa, and the world, he remained a deeply devoted family man, an avid football enthusiast, and an earnest friend to many.

IN HONOUR OF THE LIFE AND TIMES OF THE FORMER PRIME MINISTER RAILA AMOLO ODINGA, and on behalf of a grateful nation, I, WILLIAM SAMOEI RUTO, under the authority vested in me as the President of the Republic of Kenya and the Commander in Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces, do hereby ORDER and DIRECT: -

I. THAT, in testimony of the highest esteem in which all Kenyans hold the person and the memory of Prime Minister Raila Amollo Odinga, the nation will observe a period of national mourning from today until sunset of the day of his interment.

II. THAT Prime Minister Raila Odinga shall be accorded a State Funeral, with military honours and the attendant State protocols being rendered and observed;

III. THAT the flag of the Republic of Kenya shall be flown at half-mast at State House and all Kenyan diplomatic missions, public buildings and public grounds, all military bases, posts, and stations on all naval vessels of the Republic of Kenya, and however elsewhere throughout the entire territory of the Republic of Kenya, from today until sunset on the day of his interment; and

IV. THAT the President, the Deputy-President, the Prime Cabinet Secretary, the Chief Justice, Cabinet Secretaries, the Speaker of the National Assembly, the Speaker of the Senate, Kenya’s diplomats abroad, and whomsoever else is so authorised by law, shall not fly the national flag on their official motor vehicles from today until sunset on the day of his interment.

May Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s family be comforted; may his memory be honoured; and may his example be emulated.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Public Seal of the Republic to be affixed to this Presidential Proclamation on this Fifteenth Day of October, IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD TWENTY TWENTY-FIVE.

WILLIAM SAMOEI RUTO, President.