I Don't Have Any Social Media Account, Captain Saviemaria Ondego Who Flew Raila's Body Home Reveals

When Kenya woke up to the devastating news that Raila Amolo Odinga, one of the country’s most influential political figures, had passed away in India, the nation fell silent. 

The shock, disbelief, and grief that followed could be felt across every corner of the country. But for one pilot — Captain Saviemaria Ondego — this moment would soon turn into one of the most unforgettable experiences of her life.

At the time of Raila Odinga’s death, Captain Saviemaria was stationed in Mumbai, India, preparing for what was meant to be a routine Kenya Airways flight to Nairobi. 

Her day had started early with a gym session and the usual pre-flight checks. Then, a message from her family group arrived. It confirmed what many Kenyans feared — Raila Odinga was gone.

“It was shocking and painful,” she said quietly. 

“I remember sitting still for a few moments, trying to understand what had just happened. It was hard to believe that Baba — a man who had fought for Kenya’s democracy all his life — was no more.”

Even with the heavy news, she and her crew continued preparing for their assigned flight. Little did they know that within hours, they would be called for a mission that would make aviation history.
The Unexpected Call

Back in Nairobi, Kenya Airways management was already making urgent plans to assist in bringing Raila Odinga’s body home. 

When Captain Saviemaria’s phone rang that afternoon, she thought it was a routine check from her supervisor. Instead, it was a call that changed everything.

“I was told that because we were already in Mumbai and well-rested, we had been chosen to operate the flight that would bring home Raila Odinga’s remains,” she recalled. 

“For a moment, I couldn’t speak. I knew the responsibility that came with it.”

Her crew members understood the weight of the mission. There would be no ordinary passengers — only dignitaries, family members, and government officials traveling to accompany the late leader’s body. 

Every member of the team knew they were part of something bigger than themselves.
The Flight That United a Nation

The Kenya Airways Boeing 737-800 took off from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport as Flight KQ202 heading to India, carrying the advance team that included government officials led by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi. 

Hours later, Captain Saviemaria’s aircraft, Flight KQ203, was ready to return home — this time carrying the body of Raila Odinga under its belly.

From the moment the plane lifted off from Kochi, India, silence filled the cabin. There were no conversations, no laughter — only quiet reflection. 

“It was one of those flights where you could feel the emotion even without words,” Captain Saviemaria said. “We were flying a national hero back home. That meant everything to us.”

Throughout the six-hour journey, more than 58,000 people around the world tracked the flight live through flight monitoring websites, making it the most-followed flight globally that week. 

For many Kenyans at home, watching that tiny moving dot on a screen was an emotional experience — a digital escort for their beloved leader’s final journey.

As the aircraft approached Kenyan airspace, something symbolic happened. The flight’s call sign was changed from KQ203 to RA 001 — “RA” standing for Raila Amolo. It was a rare and historic gesture in global aviation, signifying a final salute to a national icon.

At that moment, Captain Saviemaria picked up the radio and made a call that many will never forget.

“Good morning, Route 001 Control. We are now in Kenyan airspace.”

Those few words, calm yet emotional, marked Raila Odinga’s homecoming. For the captain and her crew, it was a powerful moment — one that represented respect, unity, and national pride.

“It wasn’t just a call sign,” she later explained. 

“It was a symbol of honor — our way of saying thank you and goodbye to someone who had given his all for Kenya.”

Many of the crew members on board had interacted with Raila Odinga before, having flown him on official duties in the past. Others only knew him through his story. But they all felt the same — that they were part of something much larger than their individual roles.

“He stood for freedom, unity, and the voice of ordinary Kenyans,” said one of the attendants. 

“It was an honor to be part of his final journey.”

The mood at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport was somber as the aircraft touched down. Officials, family members, and mourners stood by the runway in silence as the national flag-draped casket was received. The mission had ended, but the emotion of that flight would stay with the crew forever.

After the historic flight, Captain Saviemaria’s name quickly trended across social media. Kenyans from all walks of life praised her professionalism, calmness, and humility. However, she was quick to clarify one important thing.

“I don’t have any social media accounts,” she said firmly. 

“Anything you see online under my name is not mine. Kenya Airways’ official pages are the only sources of verified information. Please don’t believe fake pages pretending to be me.”

Her message was clear — even in the midst of national attention, she wanted privacy and respect for her role as a professional pilot.

What began as a normal workday for Captain Saviemaria Ondego ended as a defining chapter in Kenya’s aviation and political history. 

For her and the crew of RA 001, that night was more than just about flying — it was about carrying the hopes, tears, and pride of a nation back home.

“It was a flight of honor,” she said. 

“We will always remember it — not because it was historic, but because it reminded us how much one life can mean to an entire country.”