Kenya has bid a final farewell to its former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who passed away in India at the age of 80. Thousands of mourners, including presidents and representatives of African heads of state, gathered at a state funeral service in Nairobi to pay their respects to the democratic reformer. Odinga’s casket, draped in the national flag, was placed at a soccer stadium where an Anglican Church service was held.
The large turnout reflected Odinga’s significant influence on Kenya’s political landscape. Mourners chanted and held up portraits of Odinga, with some carrying twigs, a symbol of peace and unity in Kenyan tradition. The stadium was heavily secured after a public viewing the previous day turned violent, resulting in the deaths of three people and injuries to at least 10 others.
Odinga’s body lay in state in Parliament on Friday morning, an honor typically reserved for the president and former presidents. President William Ruto acknowledged Odinga’s contributions to Kenya’s democracy, stating that he deserved the honor for his 15 years of service as a legislator. Ruto and Odinga had a complex relationship, having campaigned together in 2007 and later becoming rivals in subsequent elections.
Despite their differences, the two leaders signed an agreement earlier this year, paving the way for opposition party members to be appointed to cabinet positions. Odinga’s family has announced that he will be buried on Sunday in his rural home in Bondo, near the western city of Kisumu. The family has respected Odinga’s wish to be buried quickly, ideally within 72 hours, which is unusual for a popular leader in Kenya.
As Kenya prepares to lay Odinga to rest, the country reflects on his legacy as a champion of democracy and reform. Odinga’s five presidential bids over three decades may not have resulted in him becoming president, but his activism played a significant role in shaping Kenya’s vibrant multiparty democracy. His passing has brought together leaders from across Africa to pay tribute to a man who dedicated his life to public service and the pursuit of a more just and equitable society. On Saturday, Kenyans will have one last opportunity to view Odinga’s body in Kisumu before his burial on Sunday.
