How Raila's funeral plans exposed Kenya's security flaws

Last week’s sendoff of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga was a grand but chaotic affair, marked by security lapses and logistical challenges that tested the country’s preparedness to handle the death of a national icon.

Odinga’s wish to be buried within 72 hours of his death in India only compounded the pressure on planners tasked with organising a dignified farewell for a man with a cult-like following.

Security analyst George Musamali now says the funeral exposed glaring failures within the country’s security system.

“The security agencies were simply not prepared to deal with the funeral of a person of the stature of Raila Odinga. They neither profiled him nor his supporters,” Musamali said. 

According to the analyst, there was a failure in intelligence gathering to map the potential turnout of mourners grieving the death of a man many considered a symbol of democracy and national unity.

Trouble began on Thursday, October 16, when Odinga’s body was flown back from India aboard a special Kenya Airways flight, dubbed RAO001.

Mourners breached security at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), storming a restricted airside area and forcing the cancellation of a reception that was to be presided over by President William Ruto in line with military tradition.

At the time, President Ruto, former President Uhuru Kenyatta, and the Odinga family were confined to the presidential pavilion, the only secure location available.

Initially, the national funeral committee had planned for the body to be taken to the Lee Funeral Home for preparation before lying in state at Parliament, an honour previously accorded to former presidents Jomo Kenyatta, Daniel arap Moi, and Mwai Kibaki.

However, intelligence reports warning of potential security breaches and crowd control challenges at Parliament forced a last-minute change. The body was instead taken to Kasarani Stadium for public viewing.

In Nairobi’s Central Business District on Thursday, many shops remained closed as traders feared looting by opportunists posing as mourners.

At Kasarani, tensions flared when the viewing delayed. Some mourners reportedly attempted to breach the VIP dais where President Ruto and other dignitaries were seated. 

Police responded with tear gas and live ammunition. Autopsy reports released on Tuesday, October 21, indicated that three people died of gunshot wounds to the head and chest.

“That was excessive use of force for a situation that called for communication. The event planners should have facilitated public addresses to update the mourners to manage expectations. Police are not trained on event management; they do crowd control.” 

The analyst added that psychological operations, such as using music or diversions, could have helped diffuse the tension.

Dr. Xavier Ichani, a lecturer at Kenyatta University and a security consultant, averred that extensive media coverage and online mobilisation also contributed to the chaos. However, the succession of Odinga in the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and Nyanza played a role as frontrunners desperately mobilised crowds for positive optics.

“Political interference and coordination issues also contributed to the security breach. Without mentioning names, 'orphaned ODM leaders' started early campaigns to inherit the party,” said Ichani. 

Several changes

The funeral programme changed again on Friday, October 17, to allow Odinga’s body to briefly lie in state at Parliament before a state funeral at Nyayo Stadium. An overnight vigil at his Karen home was also canceled for security reasons.

In Kisumu, tens of thousands of mourners turned up for the farewell. Despite reports of minor injuries, heavy deployment of police, military, and National Youth Service officers helped maintain order.

Plans to transport the body by road to Bondo that evening were abandoned over what Internal Security Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo described as “logistical and security reasons.”

“The situation would have been better if the body was airlifted, massive security teams had been deployed, and politicians helped contain the emotions of mourners,” said Ichani.

Musamali also noted that key security organs were not fully involved in the funeral committee’s planning sessions, where PS Omollo served as secretary.

Ichani urged the government to develop standard operating procedures for state funerals, especially for leaders with massive grassroots support or in situations involving the death of a sitting president, as happened with Jomo Kenyatta in 1978.

“The military stood out,” he said.