Former prime minister raila odinga has been barred from accessing vip lounges in all local airports. odinga who was on a tour to kisumu was told by officials at the airport that he no longer has access to the VIP section. He was forced to use the ordinary passenger facilities.
Raila Odinga and incidents of access to VIP lounges
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has faced multiple incidents where his access to VIP lounges in Kenyan airports was restricted, leading to public controversy and political debate.​
Airport VIP Lounge Incidents
In June 2013, Odinga was reportedly denied access to the VIP III lounge at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), which is designated for the Deputy President and retired Heads of State.
According to reports, this decision was based on a directive from the Secretary to the Cabinet, Francis Kimemia, who issued a memo listing individuals authorized to access the airport’s restricted areas. Odinga’s name was not included in this list, leading to his exclusion from the lounge.
The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) later clarified that while Odinga and his wife were permitted to use the Government VIP lounge, they were not allowed to have their convoy access the airside, a restriction imposed for security reasons.
KAA emphasized that only the President, Deputy President, and visiting Heads of State are authorized to have their motorcades access the airside.
Political Reactions and Apologies
The incident sparked political reactions, with some leaders expressing concern over the treatment of the former Prime Minister.
Aden Duale, the Majority Leader in Parliament at the time, apologized on behalf of the government, describing the incident as unfortunate and assuring that such occurrences would not be repeated.
Nyayo Stadium Incident
In April 2022, during the state funeral of Kenya’s third President, Mwai Kibaki, a scuffle occurred at Nyayo National Stadium when Odinga’s bodyguard was blocked from accessing the VIP lounge.
The bodyguard was reportedly stopped by security officers who were instructed to allow only VIPs into the lounge, leading to a brief confrontation.
Ongoing Discussions
These incidents have led to ongoing discussions about the criteria for VIP access in Kenyan public facilities and the treatment of former leaders. While some argue that such measures are necessary for security, others view them as politically motivated actions aimed at undermining Odinga’s status and influence.​
The debate continues to highlight the complexities of protocol, security, and political dynamics in Kenya.
