Singapore-Based Kenyan Businesswoman to Launch Raila Airways in 2026

A Kenyan entrepreneur has announced plans to launch a new international airline named after the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga. 

The carrier, to be known as Raila Airways, is expected to begin operations in 2026.

The project is being led by Sheila Mutundi, a model and businesswoman based in Singapore. In an interview, she said the airline would operate international routes from the outset, rather than starting with domestic services. One of the proposed initial routes includes a direct connection between Malaysia and Kenya.

Mutundi said the decision to use Odinga’s name was intended as a tribute rather than a marketing strategy. She described the airline as a symbol of ambition and leadership, while emphasising that it would operate as a commercial and non-partisan enterprise despite the political associations linked to the name.

According to Mutundi, the venture has secured investment from both local and international backers, with discussions on further partnerships ongoing. Promotional materials show aircraft interiors branded with Odinga’s initials, “R A O”, and seatback screens displaying the Raila Airways name, indicating a clear brand identity.

Mutundi has spoken publicly about her background, describing how she was raised in modest circumstances. Her mother brewed illicit alcohol and her father worked as a security guard. She says she has since improved her family’s living conditions and built a business career that includes international travel to destinations such as Santorini, Vietnam and Bali.