NAIROBI, Kenya – Thousands of mourners on Friday thronged Nairobi’s Nyayo National Stadium to attend the state funeral of former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga, one of Africa’s most enduring political figures.
Waving national flags and holding portraits of the late leader, many wore T-shirts emblazoned with his image as they gathered to pay their final respects.
After the solemn funeral service, thousands lined up for an extended public viewing of Odinga’s body inside the stadium. The crowd swelled as mourners surged forward, leading to several injuries.
“We have attended to one person who fainted inside the stadium,” the Kenya Red Cross posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Security officers quickly restored order, allowing the viewing to continue smoothly. Heavy security remained in and around the venue, with both police and military personnel deployed to prevent a repeat of Thursday’s chaos, when at least three people died after police fired gunshots and tear gas while trying to contain massive crowds that had gathered to escort Odinga’s body from the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
Presidents of Somalia and Ethiopia were among several regional leaders who attended the ceremony, reflecting Odinga’s influence far beyond Kenya’s borders.
As the casket draped in the Kenyan flag entered the stadium in a ceremonial military procession, the crowd erupted into chants, whistles, and song. Mourners repeatedly shouted, “Raila usilale, bado mapambano” — Swahili for “Raila, don’t sleep, the struggle is not over.”
The slogan was a symbolic call for the late leader’s spirit to remain watchful over the ongoing struggle for justice and democracy that defined his life.
President William Ruto led mourners in singing Odinga’s favorite reggae classic, “Jamaican Farewell.”
Odinga’s widow, Ida Odinga, made a heartfelt plea for peace and unity during the national mourning period.
“Raila hated dishonesty. He hated greed — the greed that has affected the fabric of our society,” she said.
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta lightened the mood with warm recollections of his long-time political ally and rival.
“Sometimes after work, we would just sit together, talking and laughing,” said Kenyatta, who had supported Odinga’s fifth presidential bid in 2022 after defeating him in a disputed 2017 election.
Leading the religious service, Bishop David Kodia praised Odinga’s humility, saying the late leader “never used his political power or wealth to intimidate anyone.”
Earlier Friday morning, Odinga’s body had been taken to Parliament Buildings, where Members of Parliament and dignitaries paid their last respects.
The veteran politician, who passed away on Wednesday in India at the age of 80, will be transported on Saturday to Kisumu, his political stronghold in western Kenya. From there, his body will proceed to Bondo, about 60 kilometers away, for burial at his family farm on Sunday.
Mourners in Kisumu and along the route are expected to carry branches and palm fronds, traditional Luo symbols of mourning and grief.
According to the family, Odinga had expressed a wish to be laid to rest within 72 hours of his death. The government has declared a seven-day period of national mourning in his honor.
Raila Odinga leaves behind a towering political legacy as a founding father of Kenya’s multi-party democracy and a lifelong champion of opposition politics. Despite losing five presidential elections, he remained one of Kenya’s most influential and respected statesmen, often insisting he was robbed of victory through electoral malpractice.
As Kenya bids farewell, the chants echo through the nation — “Bado mapambano” — a testament to a man whose political struggle defined generations.
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