The government has declared Friday, October 17, 2025, a national public holiday in honour of the late former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga.
In a special issue of the Kenya Gazette published on Thursday, Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen invoked Section 3 of the Public Holidays Act (Cap. 110) to gazette the holiday officially.
“It is notified for the general information of the public that in exercise of the powers conferred by section 3 of the Public Holidays Act, the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration declares that Friday, the 17th October, 2025, shall be a public holiday in honour of the departed former Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga,” the gazette notice read in part.
The declaration comes a day after the death of Raila Odinga, who passed away on Wednesday in Kerala, India, where he was undergoing Ayurvedic treatment. Reports from Indian and Kenyan media indicate that Odinga, 80, collapsed during a morning walk and succumbed to cardiac arrest.
Odinga’s passing has sent shockwaves across Kenya and beyond, marking the end of an era for one of Africa’s most influential political figures. A veteran opposition leader, reformist, and champion of democracy, Odinga’s political journey spanned over four decades, during which he played a defining role in shaping Kenya’s governance and constitutional order.
He served as Kenya’s Prime Minister between 2008 and 2013 in the Grand Coalition Government formed after the post-election crisis. Over the years, he made five bids for the presidency and was often described as the face of Kenya’s pro-democracy struggle, advocating for multiparty democracy, electoral justice, and inclusive governance.
In a televised address on Wednesday night, President William Ruto described Odinga as “a patriot and statesman whose contribution to Kenya’s democracy, unity, and social justice will forever be remembered.”
Condolences have poured in from world leaders, regional blocs, and citizens across Africa, many describing him as a fearless defender of freedom and a symbol of resilience.
The government is expected to hold a state funeral for the former Prime Minister at Nyayo Stadium on Friday, with flags flying at half-mast across the country and all public institutions closed in observance of the holiday.
Odinga’s death leaves a significant void in Kenya’s political landscape, where he remained a central figure in both opposition and government for decades. His legacy, rooted in his lifelong pursuit of justice and equality, will continue to shape the nation’s political discourse for years to come.
Read: Raila’s Last Journey: State Funeral and Burial Plans Unveiled
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