- Mama Ida said the 72-hour burial request surprised the
- She was unsure when or where the will was written.
- The short timeline forced fast funeral planning.
- President Ruto helped ensure the wish was respected.
- Raila Odinga received full State Funeral honours.
Mama Ida Odinga has disclosed that she did not know about the late Raila Odinga’s request to be buried within three days after his death.
She said the instruction, which was written in Raila’s will, was unexpected and required immediate action from the family and authorities.
While speaking during the handover of Raila Odinga’s personal memorabilia to the family on Friday, January 30, 2026, Mama Ida said she was not aware of when or where the burial instruction was documented.
She noted that the will’s contents came as a surprise to her and other family members.
Mama Ida explained that funerals in Kenya are normally detailed and take many days to prepare.
Because of this, the 72-hour deadline meant that all plans, ceremonies, and logistics had to be arranged at great speed.
She said the family had to move quickly to meet the requirement.
Despite the pressure and tight schedule, Mama Ida said the family was committed to honouring Raila Odinga’s final instructions.
She stressed that respecting his wishes was important, even though the timeline was demanding.
Mama Ida praised President William Ruto for stepping in during the difficult period.
She said the Head of State helped mobilise government support, making it possible to meet the strict burial deadline.
According to her, the President’s involvement ensured that Raila’s will was followed without delay.
She requested that appreciation be passed on to President Ruto for his support during the burial preparations.
Mama Ida said his role was key in helping the family complete arrangements on time.
Raila Odinga was known for drawing massive crowds and leading large national events, making a quick burial uncommon by local standards.
Despite this, he was honoured with a full State Funeral, including military rites, a 17-gun salute, and a period of national mourning.
