Religious leaders in Nyanza have issued a passionate call for peace, calm, and patience ahead of the public viewing of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s body at Kisumu’s Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium in Mamboleo on Saturday, and his burial on Sunday in Kang’o Ka Jaramogi, Bondo sub-county, Siaya.
Speaking to the media in Kisumu on Friday, Bishop Charles Kokombo of Full Gospel Churches of Kenya, who also serves as the Nyanza Vice Chair of the Evangelical Alliance of Kenya (EAK), urged the Luo community and the wider public to honour Odinga’s legacy by maintaining peace.
“We need to mourn our hero in peace, because we are a peace-loving region,” said Bishop Kokombo, expressing concern over incidents of unrest reported in Nairobi on Thursday night. “Let us mourn with dignity and respect.”
The church urged youth to resist provocations and remain peaceful throughout the mourning period, emphasizing that Raila Odinga himself was a champion of peace and unity.
Traffic, Security and Public Order
Religious leaders further appealed to authorities to ensure proper traffic management and crowd control around the Mamboleo area to avoid congestion and confusion. They cautioned law enforcement against the use of excessive force on mourners, urging respectful policing during the public viewing.
“Police should not hurl teargas or push mourners,” Kokombo said. “This is a moment of national grief. Let us all act with compassion and restraint.”
Condemning Opportunistic Violence
The church also warned individuals against taking advantage of the mourning period to cause chaos or destroy property, stating that the Luo culture is not one of violence during times of grief.
“Some people pretending to mourn should not destroy other people’s property,” said Kokombo. “Even our culture rejects destructive mourning.”
Final Journey of a National Icon
Odinga’s national farewell began with prayers at Nyayo Stadium on Friday. His body will be transported to his Karen home for a night vigil, before being flown to Kisumu on Saturday morning for public viewing. He will then be laid to rest on Sunday at his ancestral home in Bondo, Siaya County, with the burial service conducted by the Anglican Church, Bondo Diocese.
The EAK Nyanza Chapter, representing churches in Kisii, Nyamira, Homa Bay, Migori, Siaya and Kisumu counties, concluded by offering prayers and condolences to the nation.
“EAK Nyanza bishops wish all mourners a peaceful period of grief, knowing that death is the last enemy to be defeated by Christ, as written in 1 Corinthians 15:55,” said Bishop Kokombo.
Thousands are expected to attend the public viewing and burial ceremonies to pay their final respects to a leader whose influence and legacy defined generations of political and social transformation in Kenya.
