Sifuna Appeals for Calm After Chaos at Raila Odinga’s Home
ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna has issued an emotional appeal to party supporters following the tragic death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
Speaking at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on Wednesday afternoon, Sifuna raised alarm over the chaotic scenes that unfolded earlier at Raila’s Karen residence.
He revealed that the home had been “overrun and overwhelmed” as thousands of mourners rushed to pay their respects, causing overcrowding and distress to the family.
“We want to plead with our supporters, as a leader and as the SG, our people must stop going to Mama Ida’s house because she is all alone,” Sifuna said. “When we came from the Karen home, it had been overrun and overwhelmed. The space simply could not accommodate everyone.”
Following news of Raila’s death, grief spread rapidly across the country, with emotional reactions reported in various regions. In Nairobi’s Central Business District, tension flared as several businesses were forced to close after groups of unidentified individuals attempted to loot and cause unrest under the pretext of mourning.
Sifuna urged ODM supporters and Kenyans at large to maintain calm and dignity during this difficult moment, stressing that chaos would not honour Raila’s legacy.
He revealed that ODM leaders were considering setting up organised mourning zones to allow supporters to gather peacefully.
“The discussion around the leadership is that we need to set up some points for people who want to mourn Mzee. We want to request everyone to maintain peace. Ask yourself what Mzee would have wanted before doing anything. There is no point in causing mayhem or disrupting traffic.”
Sifuna is part of a special delegation selected by President William Ruto to oversee the repatriation of Raila Odinga’s body back to Kenya.
Others in the delegation include Raila’s widow Mama Ida Odinga, Cabinet Secretaries Kipchumba Murkomen and Hassan Joho, National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, Minority Leader Junet Mohamed, as well as family members Jaoko Oburu Odinga and Kevin Opiyo Oginga.
The ODM leader reportedly died after suffering a cardiac arrest during a morning walk in India, where he was receiving treatment. A hospital spokesperson confirmed that Raila was pronounced dead at approximately 9:52 am upon arrival at the facility.
Reports indicate that he was in the company of his daughters and close relatives when the medical emergency occurred.
As the nation mourns one of its most iconic leaders, calls for peace, respect, and unity continue to grow — with many leaders urging Kenyans to honour Raila’s memory in a dignified and orderly manner.
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