While most Kenyans were unaware at the time, behind the scenes, senior leaders and security officials were racing against time to ensure history was made without triggering chaos.
According to reports inspired by accounts from parliamentary insiders, the decision to take Raila’s body into Parliament was reached after an intense late-night meeting held on October 16, just days after his death in India.
The meeting, which lasted several hours, was conducted in strict secrecy. Only a handful of senior parliamentary officials, selected MPs, and security commanders were involved.
The secrecy was not accidental. Intelligence reports had warned of possible security threats if news leaked that Raila’s body would be brought to Parliament.
Leaders feared that huge crowds might storm the precincts, recalling past incidents where Parliament had been breached during protests. With emotions still raw nationwide, the risk was considered too high.
By midnight, a final plan had been agreed upon. Raila’s body would be moved into Parliament before dawn, long before the public gathered at Nyayo National Stadium for the state funeral.
At around 5 a.m., under heavy security, the body was quietly ushered into the August House.
Even most MPs were left in the dark. Only a small group was informed hours earlier and asked to arrive early to pay their respects.
Lawmakers known for frequent social media posting were deliberately excluded at first, to prevent information leaks that could attract crowds.
One parliamentary official later revealed that the operation required personal sacrifice and discipline.
Some staff members did not even inform their families where they were going, fearing that word might spread.
Phones were kept away, movements were restricted, and security patrols around Parliament were intensified.
Despite the risks, parliamentary leadership insisted the move was necessary.
Raila Odinga was not just a former Prime Minister but also a long-serving MP and a central figure in Kenya’s political history.
Allowing his body into Parliament was seen as a symbolic recognition of his contribution to democracy and governance.
By mid-morning, dozens of MPs and senators had filed in quietly to view the body. The ceremony was brief but emotional.
Soon after, the body was transported to Nyayo Stadium, where thousands of mourners had already gathered, unaware of what had just taken place hours earlier.
Later, Parliament’s administration confirmed that the decision to limit public access was purely based on safety concerns.
Officials stressed that there was no intention to lock out citizens, but rather to protect lives and maintain order during a sensitive national moment.
Elsewhere, newspapers also captured the country’s Christmas Eve mood. Across Nairobi and other major towns, transport hubs were packed as Kenyans rushed to travel upcountry.
Bus fares surged, roads clogged, and traders smiled as holiday spending peaked.
From Kisumu to Mombasa, Nakuru to Eldoret, the story was the same — a nation on the move, balancing grief, reflection, and festive anticipation.
Tags
News