National carrier Kenya Airways has announced additional flights and aircraft upgrades on its Kisumu route to cope with an unprecedented surge in passengers travelling to the lakeside city for the final farewell for former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga.

Road transport has equally witnessed a similar surge in demand with operators saying longhaul buses and other public service vehicles have been fully booked since last Thursday when Raila Odinga’s death was announced.

In a statement on Friday, October 17, the national carrier said it had increased flight frequency to Kisumu over the weekend in response to the high travel demand ahead of Raila’s burial in Bondo, Siaya County, on Sunday.

“We’ve increased our flight frequency to Kisumu over the weekend to accommodate the high travel demand,” the airline said in a post on its official X account.

Kenya Airways confirmed that the additional flights will be KQ656, expected to depart at 13:30 HRS and KQ658, which is expected to depart at 1900 HRS on Saturday, October 18.

Yesterday, the national carrier introduced flight KQ656 (13:30 HRS) in response to the high number of passengers plying the route.  Kenya Airways also confirmed that it had upgraded several flights to Boeing 737s to handle the surge in travellers expected on Sunday, October 19.

The upgraded flights include KQ654, KQ670 and KQ671, all bound for Kisumu.

Currently, Kisumu International Airport is a beehive of activities with security heightened as visitors from around the world are expected to flock Kisumu ahead of Raila’s burial. The surge in visitors has caused a major accommodation crunch in Kisumu with most hotels and short-stay facilities already fully booked.

According to Jackson Otieno, who manages a chain of Kisumu city’s hospitality industry facilities, has been overwhelmed since Thursday.

“All our units were booked early, and I’m now receiving referrals from major hotels that are also struggling to accommodate the high number of guests,” he said.

Many mourners have been forced to seek accommodation in neighbouring towns such as Ahero, Maseno and Kakamega as thousands flock to Kisumu City to bid farewell to the veteran politician.

Meanwhile, public viewing of Odinga’s body continues at the Jomo Kenyatta Stadium in Mamboleo, where thousands have been lining up to pay last respects. The viewing exercise is scheduled to end at 3pm after which the body will be airlifted to his Bondo home in Siaya County for burial on Sunday.

Kisumu, now a sea of humanity in grip of grief and tribute, has become the focal point of a historic farewell, one that marks the final journey of a leader whose name has been synonymous with Kenya’s democratic transition.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Chris Mahandara