- Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna published boarding passes from two Kenya Airways flights that transported a Kenyan delegation to Mumbai in October 2025
- Sifuna thanked the Indian government, KQ crew, ordinary passengers and the KDF for their roles during the emotionally charged mission
- The KQ203 return flight changed its call sign to RAO001 as it re-entered Kenyan airspace, triggering an emotional reaction among passengers on board
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Nairobi senator Edwin Sifuna has shared the boarding passes from the two Kenya Airways flights that carried a Kenyan delegation to Mumbai and returned with the body of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, marking what he described as one of the most painful days of his life.
Sifuna posted the passes as Kenya observed the first anniversary of Raila's death.
The stubs show him travelling in Premier World class on KQ202 to Mumbai, boarding at 16:45 from gate 20A, seated in 3J.
The return pass is for KQ203 departing Mumbai at 05:35 on October 16, 2025, with Sifuna seated in 3C. The outbound flight operated on October 15, 2025.
"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," the senator wrote.
Sifuna's Four Acknowledgements
Sifuna used the occasion to extend formal thanks to four groups, beginning with the Indian High Commission in Nairobi and the Indian government.
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He credited them with clearing the path for the mission, adding that he did not know how many rules of international travel had been bent to make it work. He closed that tribute with "Ahsante sana."
He then singled out Kenya Airways management and the flight crew, led by Captain Saviemaria Ondego, whom he praised as "absolute class."
The emotional high point of the return journey came when Captain Ondego announced that the aircraft's call sign had been changed to RAO001 as it crossed into Kenyan airspace.
"Wacha tu," Sifuna wrote, the Kiswahili phrase conveying that words fell short of describing the moment.
Sifuna also directed an apology to ordinary passengers who were displaced from both flights, noting that there had been significant seat changes and lengthy delays, particularly on KQ202.
He said many travellers had no idea what was unfolding until they were airborne and the captain made the announcement.
"Apologies for the inconveniences on that day, but you were very gracious," he said, commending them for accepting the disruption without complaint.
KDF Honoured for Their Role
His final acknowledgement went to the Kenya Defence Forces, which he credited with according full military honours to Raila, whom he referred to as Baba.
"We his people will forever be grateful," Sifuna said, ending his tribute with a salute.
The post served both as a personal remembrance and a public record of the logistics behind one of Kenya's most emotionally charged repatriation missions in recent memory.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
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