The Kenya Airways flight carrying the body of former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga to Nairobi on Thursday morning became the world’s most tracked plane on Flightradar24, as millions of Kenyans and admirers across the globe followed the repatriation of the iconic statesman.
Soon after its 6:30 p.m. take-off from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi on Wednesday evening, the Kenya Airways passenger flight KQA202 bound for Mumbai quickly rose to second place globally on the popular real-time air traffic tracking platform. By midnight, it had become the most tracked flight in the world, with more than 7,000 people monitoring its journey.
The aircraft touched down in Mumbai at about 1:00 a.m. East Africa Time (EAT), and later departed for Nairobi shortly after 3:30 a.m. EAT under the call sign KQA203. At around 7:00 a.m., Flightradar24 data showed over 5,000 people were tracking the return flight as it made its way home.
In a statement issued at 8:00 a.m., Kenya Airways announced that the flight would be renamed RAO001 — a symbolic reference to Odinga’s initials — upon entering Kenyan airspace.
“KQ203 will change to RAO001 as soon as we reach the Kenya Airspace at around 8:50 a.m. to honour and respect our departed leader,” the airline posted on X (formerly Twitter).
The flight was scheduled to land at JKIA at 9:30 a.m., where President William Ruto, senior government officials, and members of the Odinga family awaited the arrival of the plane carrying the remains of the man who defined Kenya’s political landscape for more than four decades.
Nation in Mourning
Odinga, 80, passed away in the Indian city of Kochi after collapsing while undergoing treatment for an undisclosed illness. President Ruto has since declared a seven-day national mourning period, with the Kenyan flag flown at half-mast across the country and at diplomatic missions abroad.
The government confirmed that the veteran politician and former Prime Minister will be accorded a state funeral with full honours. Deputy President Kithure Kindiki released a four-day state funeral programme detailing the final journey of the ODM leader.
State Funeral Programme
Upon arrival at JKIA, Odinga’s body was to be received by President Ruto and the Odinga family before being escorted to the Lee Funeral Home. From noon, it will lie in state at the Parliament Buildings in Nairobi for public viewing until 5:00 p.m.
A state funeral service is scheduled for Friday at Nyayo National Stadium, followed by an overnight vigil at his Karen home. On Saturday, the body will be flown to Kisumu, where it will be viewed by the public at Moi Stadium, before proceeding by road to Bondo for an overnight stay.
In accordance with Odinga’s wishes, he will be laid to rest on Sunday, within 72 hours of his death, at his ancestral home in Bondo, Siaya County.
As Kenyans continue to mourn, tributes have poured in from across the world, hailing Odinga as a champion of democracy, a Pan-African icon, and a steadfast voice for justice.
“The skies above Kenya carry more than a plane today,” one mourner wrote online. “They carry the spirit of a man who never stopped fighting for a better Kenya.”
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