Raila’s Body Gets Kisumu Salute
The late former Prime Minister, Raila Odinga, received a poignant water cannon salute as he arrived at Kisumu International Airport. This gesture is part of the military honors being paid to him, following President William Ruto’s official announcement of Raila Odinga’s passing.
The water cannon salute is a cherished tradition in aviation, often reserved for those within the aviation community. This spectacular display is typically used to honor a retiring pilot or celebrate the launch of a new airline. During the ceremony, two fire engines create beautiful arcs of water over an aircraft as it gracefully passes between them.
The aircraft that Raila was on is referred to as Spatan Kenyan Air Force One, a special plane designated for very important people, including the president and the chief of defense forces (CDF).
This marks the second time Raila Odinga has been honored in such a way. The first occasion was when his body arrived at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) from India, where he sadly passed away on the renowned RAO001 flight. This aircraft became the most tracked flight in the world, changing its tail number from KQ203 to RAO001 as it entered Kenyan airspace.
On Saturday, October 18, 2025, at 6:50 am, the body departed from JKIA, and after a brief 30-minute flight, it touched down in Kisumu. A military helicopter, which took off at the same time from Embakasi Airbase, escorted the aircraft, with both landing simultaneously.
Military officers have already set up the area where the body will lie in state, making those final adjustments to ensure everything is just right for the arrival. They’ve rolled out a red carpet on the platform where the casket will rest, draping it with an orange cloth that represents the colors of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), which Raila has been leading since 2005.
A variety of security agencies are on hand to keep things orderly during the viewing, with personnel from the National Youth Service (NYS) lending a hand to the military to ensure everything goes off without a hitch.
Military personnel started arriving as early as 5:00 a.m. to get ready for the day, while other security officers worked through the night inside the stadium. Kenyans have begun to pour in, with lines stretching all the way to Kondele.
The body of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga took off from the runway on Saturday, October 18, 2025, and is currently in the air, set to land in Kisumu at 7:30 a.m. The casket is being accompanied by another helicopter that took off shortly after the main aircraft.
Raila’s Body Gets Kisumu Salute
