1000’s of mourners have attended the state funeral of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga at a nationwide stadium within the Kenyan capital.
Many carried nationwide flags, portraits of the late chief, and wore T-shirts printed together with his picture to pay their ultimate respects.
After the funeral service ended, 1000’s of individuals lined as much as view Odinga’s physique on the Nyayo Nationwide Stadium.
Dozens of mourners have been injured as crowds surged ahead through the prolonged public viewing of the physique.
“We now have attended to 1 one that fainted contained in the stadium,” the Kenya Pink Cross posted on X.
Nevertheless, safety officers shortly restored order, and the general public viewing ceremony later carried on easily.
Safety stays tight in and across the stadium, with police and army officers deployed to stop a recurrence of the chaos witnessed on Thursday through the body-viewing ceremony.
No less than three folks died after police fired gunshots and tear fuel in an try to include the massive crowds who had turned out to escort Odinga’s physique from the nation’s predominant airport after it arrived from India, the place he died on Wednesday.
The presidents of Somalia and Ethiopia have been amongst regional leaders who attended the funeral.
As Odinga’s physique entered the stadium in a ceremonial army procession, mourners broke into chants, whistles, and songs.
They chanted “Raila usilale, bado mapambano”, a well-liked Swahili political slogan, which interprets as “Raila, do not sleep, the battle shouldn’t be over”.
It was a symbolic enchantment for the late chief’s spirit to remain watchful, as his political battle continues.
Throughout the funeral ceremony, President William Ruto led mourners in singing Odinga’s favorite reggae music, Jamaican Farewell.
His widow, Ida appealed to Kenyans to uphold peace and unity as they mourned the previous prime minister.
“Raila hated dishonesty. He hated greed. The greed that has affected the material of our society,” she added.
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta introduced a second of heat to the sombre ceremony as he recalled humorous and reflective occasions shared with Odinga.
“Generally after work, we might simply sit collectively, speaking and laughing,” stated Kenyatta, who had backed Odinga’s unsuccessful fifth presidential bid in 2022, after beating him in disputed polls 5 years earlier.
Bishop David Kodia, who led the service, stated Odinga by no means used his political energy and cash to intimidate folks.
Earlier on Friday morning, Odinga’s physique was taken to parliament, the place MPs and chosen dignitaries seen it.
Odinga, a large determine on Kenya’s political scene, died on Wednesday aged 80 in India, the place he had been receiving medical remedy.
Mourners have been carrying branches and palm fronds, a logo of mourning and grief among the many Luo ethnic group to which Odinga belonged.
On Saturday his physique will likely be transported to Kisumu, a metropolis in western Kenya on the shores of Lake Victoria – his political stronghold.
Members of the general public will get an opportunity to view the physique earlier than he’s buried on Sunday at his farm in Bondo, about 60km (40 miles) west of Kisumu.
Based on the household, it was Odinga’s want to be laid to relaxation throughout the shortest time potential, ideally inside 72 hours.
A seven-day interval of mourning has been declared.
He was a towering determine in Kenyan politics and for a few years was the nation’s predominant opposition chief, shedding 5 presidential campaigns, most just lately three years in the past.
Odinga repeatedly stated he was cheated of victory, citing the manipulation of votes.
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