The body of former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga arrived at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) aboard a Kenya Airways flight from Kochi, India, marking a solemn chapter in Kenya’s history.

Draped in the Kenyan flag, the casket was received by President William Ruto and Mama Ida Odinga, in an emotional ceremony that reflected the nation’s deep respect for a man celebrated as the father of devolution and a pillar of Kenya’s democracy.

The late Odinga was accorded full military honours, with a Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) gun carriage and ceremonial band leading the official reception. Officers, dressed in formal regalia, stood in formation along the runway, rehearsing slow, mournful tunes as the plane taxied in. Every movement—down to the polishing of the gun carriage tyres—reflected the precision and reverence of the occasion.

Security was tight around the airport, with members of the public restricted from the main terminal to prevent congestion. Nonetheless, hundreds of supporters gathered outside JKIA, many wearing ODM-branded shirts and caps, waving flags, and singing liberation songs in tribute to their fallen leader.

Aboard the Kenya Airways flight was a high-level delegation led by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, including Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi, Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung’wah, and Migori Senator Eddy Oketch. From the Odinga family, EALA MP Winnie Odinga represented the family alongside other close relatives.

The body was later transported to Lee Funeral Home under a heavy security escort, ahead of public viewing at Parliament Buildings beginning Friday morning.

President Ruto has declared that Raila Odinga will be honoured with a state funeral, to be coordinated by a national committee co-chaired by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga.

In keeping with the late Odinga’s personal wishes, he will be laid to rest within 72 hours of his death. A public funeral service is scheduled for Friday at Nyayo Stadium, followed by burial on Sunday at Kango Ka Jaramogi, Bondo, where he will be interred beside his father Jaramogi Oginga Odinga and son Fidel Odinga.

Kenya is observing a seven-day national mourning period, with flags flying at half-mast and Friday declared a public holiday in honour of the man whose legacy shaped the nation’s democratic journey.

The elite Presidential Guard Company (G Company) has a new Commandant following a mini-reshuffle within the General Service Unit (GSU), sanctioned by the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of the Kenya Police Service.

According to an internal memo dated October 9, 2025, Commissioner of Police (CP) Charles Kases Losur, formerly staff officer for operations in the Nairobi Region, has been appointed as the new Commanding Officer of the Presidential Guard Company.

He replaces CP Ernest Cheruiyot, who has been redeployed to GSU Headquarters as Staff Officer, Operations.

Other key changes include the promotion of AIG Goddhard Kamau, former commander of the elite Recce Company, to Deputy Commandant of the GSU, while CP William Kiptoo Sawe takes over as Recce Company Commanding Officer.

Additionally, SSP Charles Chesir Kibowen moves from GSU Headquarters to head the basic training wing at the National Police College, Embakasi B campus.

The changes, communicated through a signal dated October 8, are part of efforts to strengthen leadership and operational efficiency within the GSU’s specialized units, including the Recce Company and Presidential Guard, which handle high-security and counter-terror operations.

The Presidential Guard Company is responsible for protecting State House, state lodges, and the President’s residences, working alongside the Presidential Escort Unit and local police when required.

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) President Hussein Mohammed has been appointed to the FIFA Institutional Relations Committee, marking the first time Kenya has earned representation on one of FIFA’s high-level standing committees.

In a statement, Hussein expressed gratitude to FIFA for the appointment, describing it as a major milestone for both Kenya and the region.

“My gratitude to the team at FIFA for trusting Kenya with this critical position in the standing committees of FIFA,” said Hussein. “It is the first time for Kenya to be in these committees at the global level, and we have shown our commitment and dedication to improving football standards not only for Kenya but also across the region.”

He hailed the appointment as a significant step forward for Kenyan football, noting that it provides an opportunity for the country to contribute directly to shaping global football policy and governance.

“We will put our best foot forward,” Hussein affirmed, pledging to advance the interests of Kenya and Africa within the world football governing body.

With his new role, Hussein joins a select group of global football administrators serving under FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

The FIFA Institutional Relations Committee plays a key role in managing relations between FIFA, its member associations, confederations, and other football stakeholders worldwide. The committee also provides advisory input on governance and cooperation matters that enhance football’s global framework.

Hussein’s appointment comes as Kenyan football continues to reform and rebuild its credibility following years of administrative challenges.

Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya congratulated the FKF President on his appointment, calling it a historic milestone for both Kenya and the CECAFA region.

“This historic milestone marks a proud moment for Kenya and the CECAFA region, reflecting Kenya’s rising stature in global football administration and underscores our shared commitment to advancing good governance and international collaboration in the sport,” said Mvurya.

The CS also congratulated Abdalla Yusuf Ibrahim, a member of the FKF National Executive Committee and President of Donholm Seniors FC, for his appointment to the FIFA Stadium and Security Committee.

Mvurya noted that the dual appointments reflect growing international recognition of Kenya’s progress in football management and reform, reinforcing the nation’s ambition to play a bigger role in shaping the sport’s global direction.

Raila Odinga’s wife, Ida Odinga, has dismissed widespread speculation regarding the veteran opposition leader’s health, assuring Kenyans that the former Prime Minister is in good condition and simply taking some time to rest.

Speaking in Migori on Tuesday, Mrs. Odinga clarified that her husband is not ailing as has been reported on social media, adding that he had travelled abroad for a brief break.

“In the past week, there have been rumours claiming Raila is sick. If his condition were truly as serious as they say, I would have taken him to a hospital here in Migori for treatment,” Ida said.

Expressing disbelief over the persistent rumours, she questioned how outsiders could claim to know more about her husband’s condition than his own family.

“How can someone who doesn’t live with him claim to know his health status, while I, who stay with him, am unaware of any issues? What I’m telling you is the truth: Baba is okay,” she affirmed.

Her remarks came amid ongoing public speculation and conflicting reports about the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party leader’s health.

Over the weekend, Suba South MP Caroli Omondi had called on Kenyans to pray for Mr. Odinga’s quick recovery, claiming he was unwell and receiving treatment.

“I appeal to all Christians of all denominations across the Republic of Kenya to say a special prayer for our leader, Raila Odinga, for a quick recovery, that he may regain his full health and strength. As he recuperates in hospital, we hold him dearly in our thoughts and prayers,” Mr. Omondi said during a fundraising event in Rang’ala, Siaya County.

Mrs. Odinga’s statement now seeks to put the matter to rest, emphasizing that her husband remains in good health and that rumours of illness are unfounded.

Nigeria’s Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology Uche Nnaji has resigned just days after allegations emerged that he had forged his academic credentials.

The resignation follows a newspaper investigation that claimed Nnaji submitted falsified certificates to President Bola Tinubu during his ministerial appointment in 2023.

Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga confirmed Nnaji’s resignation in a post on X late on Tuesday, quoting the minister as saying he had been “a target of blackmail by political opponents”.

Nnaji has denied the accusations of forgery and and has insisted that he did graduate from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) with a degree in Microbiology/Biochemistry.

The forgery allegations have sparked outrage among some Nigerians, following a two-year investigation by the Premium Times newspaper.

Last week, UNN reportedly told the publication that it had no records confirming that the minister had graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1985, as he had claimed.

A senior university official told the paper that Nnaji was admitted in 1981 but never completed his studies or received a certificate.

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) also said the mandatory certificate of national service Nnaji presented in April 2023 could not be verified.

Opposition leader Atiku Abubakar has called for an independent and transparent investigation into the matter, saying Nnaji should have been “summarily dismissed and prosecuted for deceit and falsification”.

“Nigerians deserve to know the truth about those who preside over their lives and resources,” Abubakar posted on X.

The suspension or removal of a minister is rare in Nigeria – Nnaji is only the second to leave office since President Tinubu assumed power in May 2023.

Last January, the then Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation Minister Betta Edu was suspended following public outrage over a corruption scandal. At the time Dr Edu, 37, denied any wrongdoing.

Tinubu’s predecessor, the late Muhammadu Buhari, sacked only two ministers during his eight-year tenure.

A man has surrendered to police and confessed to killing his wife following a domestic altercation in Tipis Town, Mau Narok, Nakuru County.

The suspect reportedly told officers at Ndeffo Police Station that he had killed his 24-year-old wife, Risper Chepkurui, during an argument at their rental house before fleeing to his mother’s home in the Kihingo area.

According to police sources, the suspect informed his mother about the incident. After consultations with family members, he was advised to turn himself in and subsequently surrendered at the police station, where he was arrested.

Discovery of the Body

The body of Chepkurui, a casual worker in the area, was discovered on September 29, 2025, sprawled inside her house. At the time of discovery, both her husband and their two-year-old son were missing.

Police investigators found extensive blood stains on the walls of the house, with clear signs of a violent struggle. Authorities suspect the victim’s head was repeatedly struck against the walls, leading to her death.

“The scene indicated a brutal attack. There were blood stains throughout the house, suggesting a prolonged struggle,” a police officer familiar with the case said.

Investigation Underway

While the suspect claimed the killing resulted from a domestic argument with the mother of his child, the exact cause of the confrontation remains under investigation.

Police confirmed they are processing the suspect for murder charges. The body of the deceased has been transferred to the mortuary, where it awaits an autopsy and other procedural examinations.

The case adds to growing concerns about domestic violence in the region, with authorities urging families to seek peaceful conflict resolution and report cases of abuse before they escalate to tragedy.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, contact the Gender Violence Recovery Centre hotline at 1195 or the National Police Service on 999/112.