Post by : Elena Malik
Thousands of mourners gathered at Kenya’s main airport on Thursday to welcome the body of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, following his death in India. The massive crowd, carrying twigs and palm branches, briefly breached security at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), forcing authorities to suspend operations for about two hours. Airport officials restored normal operations after security teams regained control, ensuring the safety of visitors and staff.
The unexpected turnout prompted a change in the public viewing location. Originally planned inside the parliament building, the ceremony for Odinga’s body was moved to Nairobi’s Moi International Sports Centre to accommodate the immense crowd. Thousands of Kenyans lined the streets from the airport to central Nairobi, expressing grief and paying tribute to a leader they called “Baba.”
“I came here at six in the morning. We have been at the airport to welcome Baba, and we are waiting. We are sad, we have been left as orphans,” a mourner said near JKIA. The outpouring of grief highlights Odinga’s lasting influence on Kenya’s political landscape and the deep connection he had with the public.
Odinga’s state funeral will be held at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi on Friday. On Saturday, his body will be transported to Kisumu, his political stronghold on Lake Victoria’s shores. Members of the public will have a chance to pay respects before his burial on Sunday at his farm in Bondo, 60km west of Kisumu. His family noted that Odinga wished to be laid to rest as soon as possible, ideally within 72 hours of his passing.
The 80-year-old former prime minister collapsed during a morning walk in India on Wednesday and was admitted to Devamatha Hospital near Kochi. A seven-day period of national mourning has been declared, and Odinga will be accorded a state funeral with full military honours, President William Ruto confirmed.
Odinga’s long political career spanned decades as a key opposition leader. He contested five presidential elections, most recently three years ago, and played a central role in shaping Kenya’s multiparty democracy. His death marks the end of an era in Kenyan politics, prompting nationwide grief and reflection on his enduring legacy.
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