Nairobi, Kenya – October 16, 2025:
The Kenya Airways flight carrying the body of former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga became the most tracked aircraft in the world on Wednesday night, as millions of Kenyans and global admirers followed its journey from India to Nairobi.
The passenger plane, Kenya Airways Flight KQA202, departed Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) at 6:30 p.m. for Mumbai, India, carrying a government delegation dispatched to facilitate the repatriation of Odinga’s body from Kochi, where he passed away on Tuesday while receiving treatment for an undisclosed illness.
Within minutes of take-off, KQA202 ranked as the second-most tracked flight globally on the popular live air traffic monitoring site, Flightradar24. By midnight, it had become the most followed aircraft worldwide, attracting over 7,000 live trackers.
The flight touched down in Mumbai at about 1 a.m. East Africa Time (EAT) on Thursday and departed back for Nairobi at 3:30 a.m. EAT as KQA203. By 7 a.m., over 5,000 people were tracking its return journey in real time.
In a symbolic gesture, Kenya Airways (KQ) announced that the aircraft’s flight designation would be renamed RAO001, representing Odinga’s initials, once it entered Kenyan airspace.
“KQ203 will change to RAO001 as soon as we reach the Kenya airspace at around 8:50 a.m. to honor and respect our departed leader. ETA at JKIA is 09:30 a.m.,” the airline said in an early morning update on X (formerly Twitter).
Odinga, 80, a former Prime Minister and longtime opposition leader, was one of Kenya’s most influential political figures. His death has drawn an outpouring of grief both at home and abroad, with messages of condolence flooding in from world leaders, diplomats, and citizens across Africa.
President William Ruto declared a seven-day national mourning period, during which flags will be flown at half-mast across the country. He also announced that Odinga will be accorded a full State Funeral with all honors befitting his stature.
According to the state funeral programme released by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, the body will be received at JKIA on Thursday morning by President Ruto, First Lady Rachel Ruto, and members of the Odinga family before being transported to the Lee Funeral Home.
At noon, the body will be moved to the Parliament Buildings for public viewing until 5 p.m., allowing Kenyans to pay their last respects.
A state funeral service is scheduled for Friday at Nyayo National Stadium, followed by an overnight vigil at Odinga’s Karen home.
On Saturday, the body will be flown to Kisumu, where residents will view it at the Moi Stadium before it travels by road to Bondo, Siaya County, for a night stay. Burial will take place on Sunday, in accordance with Odinga’s wish to be interred within 72 hours of his passing.
Raila Odinga’s final journey has captivated a nation and the world—his life, a testament to resilience and democracy, now drawing to a close under the watchful eyes of millions united in grief.
