The incident unfolded amid intense grief following the death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, whose passing has thrown the country into deep mourning.
Videos shared online showed locals carrying branches and singing traditional Luo dirges as they entered the college compound. The crowd shouted Raila’s name, calling him “Baba,” and demanded that classes stop in honor of his memory.
Some students were caught off guard during lessons and sprinted across the lawns, jumping over fences as the mourners filled the area.
Eyewitnesses said the group felt it was disrespectful for normal learning to continue when the entire region was mourning. “They wanted everyone to join in the mourning,” said a witness who watched the chaos unfold. The mourners reportedly left after about thirty minutes, leaving behind frightened students and disrupted classes.
Bondo KMTC holds special meaning for many locals since Raila Odinga helped support education projects in the region. The scene at the college mirrored other emotional outbursts witnessed across the country since his death on October 15 in India.
In Nairobi, thousands overwhelmed security at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport when his body arrived, forcing authorities to temporarily halt flights.
In Bondo, mourning has continued at Raila’s Opoda Farm, where residents have gathered day and night to sing and pray. President William Ruto has declared seven days of national mourning, and preparations for Raila’s state funeral are underway.
Community elders have pleaded for calm, urging mourners to honor Raila’s legacy of peace. Police patrols have been increased around schools and public offices in Siaya to prevent further unrest.
As the nation prepares to lay its iconic leader to rest, emotions remain raw, and Bondo continues to feel the heavy weight of loss.
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