• His statement provided a personal look into the logistical hurdles, personal sacrifices, and emotional weight involved in traveling to bring Raila’s body back home.

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has expressed deep gratitude to the Indian government, Kenya Airways, the flight crew, fellow passengers, and the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) for their crucial support during the challenging trip to Mumbai following the passing of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

Taking to X on October 16, 2026, Sifuna reflected on the emotionally charged journey he and the Kenyan delegation took to India between October 15 and 16, 2025, following the news of Raila’s death.

Sifuna shared that he has kept his Kenya Airways boarding passes for flights KQ202 and KQ203, noting that the experience was among the most gruelling of his life.

"I couldn’t tell you what the toughest part of the day was, receiving the news in the morning or taking that flight to Mumbai," Sifuna wrote, looking back at the heavy circumstances of the trip.

His statement offered a personal look at the logistical hurdles, personal sacrifices, and emotional weight of travelling to bring Raila’s body home.

Sifuna specifically thanked the Indian High Commission in Nairobi and the Indian authorities for assisting the delegation with expedited travel under extraordinary pressure.

While he did not elaborate on which specific protocols were modified, he acknowledged that unusual measures were likely taken to facilitate the flight.

"I don’t know how many rules of international travel were bent to make that flight happen. Ahsante sana," he remarked.

The senator’s comments underscored the vital diplomatic cooperation required when a nation loses a major political leader overseas and officials must mobilize quickly.

Raila passed away in India on October 15, 2025, while undergoing medical treatment, sparking widespread mourning in Kenya and setting in motion plans to repatriate his body for a national farewell.

Sifuna also commended the leadership of Kenya Airways and the flight crews, highlighting Captain Saviemaria Ondego for her instrumental role in making the mission a success.

He recalled a deeply moving moment on the return journey when the flight's call sign was officially switched to RAO001 as it crossed into Kenyan airspace.

"Bwana, on the way back, we thought our tears had dried, then she hit us with that call change to RAO001 when we entered our airspace. Wacha tu. God bless," Sifuna wrote.

This transition of the call sign served as a poignant tribute, honouring the initials of the veteran opposition leader aboard the aircraft carrying him home.

For the delegation, the flight was far more than a routine return trip from abroad; it marked the final homecoming of a towering figure who defined Kenya's multiparty democracy, constitutional reform, and opposition politics for generations.

Sifuna's tribute honoured the airline management and crew for their professionalism during such a delicate and emotionally taxing assignment.

Additionally, the senator offered a sincere apology to regular passengers whose travel schedules were affected by the emergency arrangements.

Sifuna noted that certain travelers had their seats reassigned or were bumped entirely to make space for the delegation.

He also acknowledged significant delays, particularly on flight KQ202, explaining that many passengers only grasped the gravity of the situation after the captain addressed them onboard.

"Apologies for the inconveniences on that day, but you were very gracious. God bless," he stated.

Sifuna's testimony shed light on the immense operational hurdles of coordinating emergency transit for a political delegation during a period of national grief.

Finally, Sifuna reserved high praise for the Kenya Defence Forces, thanking the military for the solemn dignity and honours afforded to Raila during his return.

His remarks highlighted the enduring emotional resonance that Raila's passing, repatriation, and state farewell hold for his supporters across the country.

"The KDF. Bwana, for the honour extended to Baba, we, his people, will forever be grateful. Salute," he wrote.

Though he left out the technical details of the military's involvement, Sifuna’s message captured the profound significance of the official honours given to the late leader.