- MPs will hold a special sitting on Thursday, October 16, 2025, to pay tribute to the late Raila Odinga.
- Speaker Moses Wetang’ula directed all members to wear black or sombre attire in respect.
- The House will sit from 10 a.m. and extend its afternoon session until midnight.
- The majority and Minority leaders will travel to India to accompany Raila’s body back home.
- Lawmakers expressed deep sorrow, remembering Raila as a statesman and mentor.
The National Assembly has scheduled special sittings on Thursday, October 16, 2025, to celebrate the life and legacy of former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga, who passed away in Kochi, India, on Wednesday.
Speaker Moses Wetang’ula announced during Wednesday’s parliamentary session, stating that the sittings would allow Members of Parliament to reflect on Raila’s lifelong service to Kenya.
According to the Speaker, the morning sitting will begin at 10 a.m., while the afternoon session will be extended until midnight to allow all members to participate in the tributes.
“Following the presidential proclamation issued today regarding the passing of the Right Honourable Raila Amolo Odinga, this House resolves to hold a morning sitting on Thursday, October 16, 2025, commencing at 10 a.m.,” Wetang’ula said.
He further explained that the debate will be conducted under an exceptional motion exempted from standard time limits to allow members to share their reflections freely.
Speaker Wetang’ula directed all MPs to attend the session in black or other sombre attire to show unity and respect.
“Tomorrow will be the only opportunity for many of you to eulogise the Prime Minister. Let us come in sombre attire, preferably black. The ladies may provide black ribbons so that we demonstrate our appreciation for our fallen hero,” he said.
Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah shared that he had recently spoken to Raila, who had called to express condolences after his father’s passing.
“A few weeks ago, I spoke to the former Prime Minister when he called to console me when I lost my dad. I will always remember how he fondly called me ‘my son’. May his soul rest in peace,” Ichung’wah said.
Minority Leader Junet Mohamed also expressed his shock, saying Raila’s passing felt unreal.
“Some of us had a very close bond with him. We knew death would come one day, but we didn’t expect it now,” Junet said.
Speaker Wetang’ula revealed that both Majority and Minority leaders would travel to India to join Raila’s widow, Mama Ida Odinga, in escorting the former Prime Minister’s body back to Kenya.
Earlier, the House observed a moment of silence to honour Raila’s memory before the Speaker made the official announcement.
The special sitting is expected to be one of the most emotional sessions in recent parliamentary history, marking a national farewell to one of Kenya’s most influential leaders.
