Dr. George Rae’s Remains Set to Arrive in Kenya on Wednesday After Repatriation from South Korea
Dr. Rae will be buried on Saturday, Jan 17, at Mbeka Primary School, West Kolwa–Magwar, after which the body will be laid to rest at his home in the countryside.
On Thursday, January 8, a fundraising meeting will be held at Dr. Rae’s home in Mbeka Village in Seme Sub-County from 3pm. Photo/Courtesy
By Ruth sang
The remains of the Former Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH), Chief Executive officer Dr. George Rae, are expected on Wednesday, January 7th, 2026, in Kenya after several days of wait and uncertainty following death from South Korea.
In a joint communication, the family of Dr. Rae, Kisumu County Government, and funeral planning committee all agreed that the body would land at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) at 2.00 pm aboard the Emirates flight EK 719 from Seoul, South Korea.
Upon arrival, the remains will be received by family members, Kisumu County government officials, professional colleagues, friends, and other mourners. The body will then be transferred to the Montezuma Funeral Home, Mbagathi, Nairobi, where it will be preserved and further funeral preparations carried out.
Dr. Rae was very much respected in health administration and policy development. He died while on duty outside the country and was an adviser to the Kisumu governor, Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o, at the time of his death, having previously worked as the chief executive officer of JOOTRH.
Initially, his death sparked public interest following reports indicating the body was being held in South Korea due to an unpaid bill of Sh16.7 million accrued over hospital and mortuary charges. The saga raised public debate and questions about the welfare and protection of Kenyan officials on government business outside the country.
Matters concerning the debt were discussed, and the county government negotiated and fully settled the bill, thus paving the way for the repatriation of the body after consultations between Dr. Rae’s family, the Kenya Medical Association (KMA), the Korean Medical Association, and Kisumu county government officials.
As per the funeral programme released by the family, fundraisers and memorial activities have been organized in the days leading to burial. Thus, on Thursday, January 8, a meeting for fundraising will be held at Dr. Rae’s home in Mbeka village, sub-county in Seme starting at 3.00 PM.
On January 9 Friday, another fundraising will take place at the Public Service Club, Kisumu venue at 3:00 pm. A further fundraiser will be held on Tuesday, January 13, at All Saints’ Cathedral, Nairobi at 5:00 pm.
On Wednesday, January 14, contingent upon a requiem Mass at All Saints’ Cathedral at 2:00 pm, a night vigil will be held at Dr. Rae’s residence in South C, a suburb of Nairobi..
On Thursday, January 15, the funeral cortege will leave the Nairobi funeral home to Kisumu where it will be transferred to KWE Funeral Home at JOOTRH. The final requiem will be conducted at St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Kisumu on Friday, January 16, 2014, commencing at 10:00 am followed by the transfer of the remains to Magwar in West Kolwa, Seme Sub-County, where a night vigil and last respects will be observed at the family home.
Dr. Rae will be buried on Saturday, January 17, at Mbeka Primary School, West Kolwa–Magwar, after which the body will be laid to rest at his home in the countryside.
The family said they were grateful for the prayers, support, and goodwill extended to them by Kenyans at this trying time. Any further information will be dispatched as the arrangements continue.
Mr. Dr. Rae will be sorely missed for the major role he played toward strengthening health systems, enhancing hospital management, and bringing sound policy guidance at the county and national levels. He is also remembered as an architect for laying groundwork for elevation of JOOTRH to a national referral hospital and a state parastatal under the Ministry of health.
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