Captain Saviemaria narrates flying Raila’s body home from India
Captain Saviemaria Ondego, the pilot who commanded the Kenya Airways flight that brought former Prime Minister Raila Odinga's body home from India
Captain Saviemaria Ondego, the pilot who commanded the Kenya Airways flight that brought former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s body home from India on Thursday, has shared an emotional account of the historic journey, describing it as a ‘surreal moment’.
Speaking about the experience, Captain Ondego revealed the emotional weight she carried as she prepared to address passengers aboard Flight KQ203, which switched its call sign to RAO001 upon entering Kenyan airspace as a tribute to the fallen leader.
“It really was a surreal moment. Every day is never a normal day at our job. And like any flight, we woke up to a roster,” Captain Ondego stated. “There was, however, a heaviness and a responsibility to our country that made it not a normal flight,” she added.
When the time came to make the traditional captain’s, Captain Ondego was overwhelmed by emotion.
“To be honest, I went to speak and nothing came out. I had to come off the speaker, take a deep breath, and then try again,” she recalled.
Despite the initial struggle, the experienced pilot found her voice and delivered what would become a memorable three-minute tribute to the former Prime Minister.
“My voice was a little shaky, but it was important to me, and somehow the words flowed,” she said.
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Captain Ondego’s in-flight announcement honored Raila’s legacy and offered condolences to his family and the nation.
“Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking. Today, we acknowledge a significant loss felt across Kenya and Africa. On behalf of the Kenya Airways family, we extend our deepest condolences on the passing of the right honorable Raila Odinga, a visionary leader and a passionate Pan-Africanist,” the tribute read.
“His influence transcends borders, inspiring many with his dedication to peace and determination to address our continent’s challenges,” she announced over the aircraft’s public address system.
Concluding her remarks, Captain Ondego emphasized national unity in the face of loss.
“To our country, to the Kenyans all around, to the family of Hon. Raila Odinga, we are with them, our hearts are with them, and we are one as a country going forward,” she said.
Kenya Airways had announced that Flight KQ203 would switch to the special call sign RAO001 upon entering Kenyan airspace at approximately 8:50 a.m. on Thursday, October 16, 2025.
The gesture was designed to honor and respect the memory of the veteran leader who had passed away the previous day in India.
The special call sign, reflecting Raila’s initials, signified his stature as one of Kenya’s most influential political figures. The flight landed at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) at around 9:30 a.m., where it was received by President William Ruto and other dignitaries.
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