The High Court in Nairobi Thursday declined to stop the planned burial of the late former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga.
Justice Chacha Mwita, sitting at the Milimani Law Courts, ruled that the petitioner, Michael Onyango Otieno, had not demonstrated that the ongoing burial plans were contrary to the deceased’s wishes to warrant the court’s immediate intervention.
In his ruling, Justice Mwita directed that the pleadings be served upon all the respondents and set the matter for directions on October 23, 2025.
Raila will be buried on October 19, 2025 at his Bondo home.
“I am not satisfied on the urgency of this matter,” ruled Mwita.
The petition, filed under certificate of urgency, seeks to challenge the government’s decision to bury the late opposition leader within 72 hours of his death, arguing that such an arrangement goes against Luo cultural traditions.
Otieno, in his application, contends that the proposed burial timeline violates Article 44 of the Constitution, which guarantees every Kenyan the right to participate in their cultural life and to uphold community traditions.
