Kenya Airways has announced additional flights to Kisumu this weekend to cater to the growing number of passengers traveling to attend the funeral of former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga.
In a statement issued on Friday, October 17, 2025, the Kenyan national carrier said it had introduced extra flights and deployed larger aircraft on the Nairobi–Kisumu route to accommodate increased demand.
“Due to the significant rise in passenger bookings to Kisumu this weekend, we have added extra flights and deployed larger aircraft to ensure our customers can travel conveniently,” the airline stated.
Kenya Airways has added two Friday flights — KQ656, departing Nairobi at 1:30pm, and KQ658, departing at 7pm.
On Saturday, October 18, the carrier will operate an additional early morning flight, KQ650, departing at 6:50am, while KQ654, scheduled for 8:05am, has been upgraded to a Boeing 737 to accommodate more passengers.
The adjustments follow reports that nearly all weekend flights to Kisumu were fully booked, highlighting the national outpouring of grief and the scale of public travel ahead of Odinga’s final farewell.
Odinga, one of Kenya’s most influential opposition leaders and a key architect of the country’s democratic reforms, died on Wednesday in India at the age of 80, where he had been receiving treatment for an undisclosed illness.
President William Ruto directed that Odinga be accorded a state funeral in recognition of his long-standing contribution to Kenya’s political evolution and democracy.
According to the funeral program, Odinga’s body will depart Nairobi for Kisumu on Saturday morning for public viewing at Jomo Kenyatta Stadium before burial on Sunday in a private ceremony attended by close family members and select dignitaries.
Family members have said it was Odinga’s wish to be buried within the shortest time possible, ideally within 72 hours.
Across Kenya, thousands have gathered to mourn Odinga, with many carrying palm fronds and branches — traditional symbols of mourning among the Luo community to which he belonged.
Odinga, who ran unsuccessfully for the presidency five times, most recently in 2022, was revered for his resilience, reformist spirit, and unwavering call for electoral justice.
Though he never became president, his influence on Kenya’s political landscape remains indelible — a legacy of courage, opposition, and the relentless pursuit of democracy.