The Ministry of Health deployed 36 ambulances to help in emergency medical response during the late Raila Odinga’s body reception at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) and the Jomo Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH).
In a statement issued shortly after the body arrived at 9:30 a.m., the Medical Services Principal Secretary Dr. Ouma Oluga said the ambulances had basic and advanced life support systems in place to handle any medical complications during the rituals.
“We have dispatched thirty-six ambulances to provide emergency medical cover during the reception of the body of the late Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga at JKIA,” Dr. Oluga announced.
“Each ambulance has complete Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Life Support (ALS) equipment and staffed by a paramedic, nurse, and driver to enable efficient on-site emergency response and safe evacuation of the patient when necessary.”
Of the 36 ambulances, 20 are owned by the Kenya Red Cross, four by St. John Ambulance, three by the Nairobi Disaster Service, eight by Nairobi Emergency Services, and one by Kenyatta National Hospital.
Another Port Health ambulance will be on standby at JKIA to offer additional medical care and coordinate with other response units.
Dr. Oluga also added that the Ministry was also working with county governments to ensure holistic emergency medical services in Kisumu and Siaya Counties as national arrangements are made for the funeral.
The Kenya Red Cross, in another release, indicated that its staff were already on the ground to offer both emergency and psychosocial support to the grieving.
“Now that the body of the late former Prime Minister is arriving, the Kenya Red Cross response and mental health teams are prepared to provide much-needed humanitarian and psychosocial interventions,” the organisation said, indicating that it was working in conjunction with the concerned authorities to ensure all safety and well-being.
On arrival of the body in Nairobi, it was taken to Parliament Buildings, where it will be held in state for public viewing from noon to 5 p.m. before being taken to Lee Funeral Home overnight.
A state funeral at the Nyayo National Stadium will be held on Friday morning at 9 a.m. Friday will be a public holiday to commemorate the passing away of the ex-Prime Minister.
The body will overnight at his Karen home before departure on Saturday to Kisumu for another public viewing at Moi Stadium.
It will then be transported by road to his rural home in Bondo, Siaya County, where he will be buried on Sunday at the family burial ground in Kango Ka Jaramogi next to his father, the late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, and his son Fidel.
