Why Raila’s Death Announcement Was Delayed
Election
Originally published by Hivileo — Read the original article →
One year after the death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, political analyst Martin Andati has recounted how technical problems with a flight from Kisumu delayed the announcement that plunged Kenya into mourning on October 15, 2025.
Speaking on The People’s Breakfast on Thursday, October 15, 2026, Andati said President William Ruto and other senior government officials had to wait for Raila’s elder brother, Oburu Odinga, to arrive in Nairobi before the family and government could formally announce the news.
Andati said Oburu’s presence was crucial because he heads the Odinga family and serves as its spokesperson. The family and government therefore had to wait for him before formally communicating Raila’s death to the country.