NAIROBI, October 16, 2025 — Operations at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) were briefly suspended today following a major security breach during the arrival of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s body, in an incident that exposed critical gaps in crowd control and airport perimeter management.
The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) issued a temporary airspace suspension after thousands of mourners flooded the airport precincts — some breaching restricted and VIP areas. The unprecedented surge, driven by a spontaneous public turnout to receive Odinga’s remains, led to a partial lockdown lasting about two hours, disrupting both inbound and outbound flight operations.
Airspace Temporarily Closed
According to KCAA sources, a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) was issued to halt all takeoffs and landings between 10:26 am and 12:26 pm local time, allowing security agencies to restore order and conduct risk assessments.
Sections of the airside and landside perimeters were temporarily sealed after boda-boda riders and other supporters entered restricted operational zones, including the State Pavilion, which is reserved for state and diplomatic flights.
Dramatic visuals of the situation showed thousands swarming JKIA and the Kenyan Air aircraft carrying the body of the leader.
Airport operations resumed later in the day after additional screening and clearance procedures were completed. Airlines were advised to expect rolling delays as the backlog cleared through the afternoon.
Flight Renamed ‘RAO001’
In a symbolic gesture, the Kenya Airways aircraft carrying Odinga’s remains from India changed its call sign from KQ203 to RAO001 upon entering Kenyan airspace — “RAO” representing the initials of Raila Amollo Odinga.
RAO001 beacame the most tracked flight worldwide with more than 21,000 people monitoring its movement.
While the closure was brief, it caused flight diversions and delays during the period. According to sources, the situation at the airport was chaotic but it remained largely under control as the airport was cleared for reopening within two hours.
Image: Screenshot from video circulated on X (formerly Twitter) showing crowd scenes at JKIA during Raila Odinga’s arrival (October 2025).
Read: 8 Most Underrated Aviation Jobs That Keep the Industry Running Safely and Smoothly
💬 Join the conversation: We’d love to hear your take on X (Twitter) or LinkedIn.
