Thousands of mourners have attended the state funeral of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga at a national stadium in the Kenyan capital.
Many carried national flags, portraits of the late leader, and wore T-shirts printed with his image to pay their final respects.
After the funeral service ended, thousands of people lined up to view Odinga’s body at the Nyayo National Stadium.
Dozens of mourners were injured as crowds surged forward during the extended public viewing of the body.
“We have attended to one person who fainted inside the stadium,” the Kenya Red Cross posted on X.
However, security officers quickly restored order, and the public viewing ceremony later carried on smoothly.
Security remains tight in and around the stadium, with police and military officers deployed to prevent a recurrence of the chaos witnessed on Thursday during the body-viewing ceremony.
At least three people died after police fired gunshots and tear gas in an attempt to contain the huge crowds who had turned out to escort Odinga’s body from the country’s main airport after it arrived from India, where he died on Wednesday.
The presidents of Somalia and Ethiopia were among the regional leaders who attended the funeral.
As Odinga’s body entered the stadium in a ceremonial military procession, mourners broke into chants, whistles, and songs.
They chanted “Raila usilale, bado mapambano”, a popular Swahili political slogan, which translates as “Raila, don’t sleep, the struggle is not over”.
It was a symbolic appeal for the late leader’s spirit to stay watchful, as his political struggle continues.
During the funeral ceremony, President William Ruto led mourners in singing Odinga’s favourite reggae song, Jamaican Farewell.
His widow, Ida, appealed to Kenyans to uphold peace and unity as they mourned the former prime minister.
“Raila hated dishonesty. He hated greed. The greed that has affected the fabric of our society,” she added.
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta brought a moment of warmth to the sombre ceremony as he recalled humorous and reflective times shared with Odinga.
“Sometimes after work, we would just sit together, talking and laughing,” said Kenyatta, who had backed Odinga’s unsuccessful fifth presidential bid in 2022, after beating him in disputed polls five years earlier.
Bishop David Kodia, who led the service, said Odinga never used his political power and money to intimidate people.
Earlier on Friday morning, Odinga’s body was taken to parliament, where MPs and selected dignitaries viewed it.
Odinga, a giant figure on Kenya’s political scene, died on Wednesday, aged 80, in India, where he had been receiving medical treatment.
Mourners have been carrying branches and palm fronds, a symbol of mourning and grief among the Luo ethnic group to which Odinga belonged.
On Saturday, his body will be transported to Kisumu, a city in western Kenya on the shores of Lake Victoria – his political stronghold.
Members of the public will get a chance to view the body before he is buried on Sunday at his farm in Bondo, about 60km (40 miles) west of Kisumu.
According to the family, it was Odinga’s wish to be laid to rest within the shortest time possible, ideally within 72 hours.
A seven-day period of mourning has been declared.
He was a towering figure in Kenyan politics and, for many years, was the country’s main opposition leader, losing five presidential campaigns, most recently three years ago.
Odinga repeatedly said he was cheated of victory, citing the manipulation of votes.
- President Commissions 36.5 Million Dollars Hospital In The Tain District
- You Will Not Go Free For Killing An Hard Working MP – Akufo-Addo To MP’s Killer
- I Will Lead You To Victory – Ato Forson Assures NDC Supporters
Visit Our Social Media for More
About Author
