Kenya Holds State Funeral For Opposition Leader Raila Odinga Amid Grief, Tension

Kenya, on Friday, held a solemn state funeral for revered opposition leader Raila Odinga in Nairobi, marking the end of an era for one of the country’s most influential political figures.

LEADERSHIP reports that Odinga, affectionately known as “Baba” (father), died on Wednesday at the age of 80 from a suspected heart attack while receiving treatment at a clinic in southern India. His passing has triggered an outpouring of grief across the nation and beyond, underscoring his towering influence on Kenya’s political landscape.

Although he never won the presidency despite five attempts, Odinga was widely regarded as the moral compass of Kenya’s opposition politics. He served as prime minister from 2008 to 2013 and played a central role in the country’s return to multi-party democracy in the 1990s. He is also credited as a driving force behind Kenya’s 2010 constitution, which has been hailed as one of the most progressive in Africa.

The funeral at Nyayo Stadium was attended by President William Ruto, senior government officials, and several regional leaders, including Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. In his eulogy, President Ruto described Odinga as “a patriot who dedicated his life to justice, democracy, and the unity of our nation.”

However, the ceremony came a day after violent clashes marred the return of Odinga’s body from India. Thousands of mourners had gathered at Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi on Thursday to pay their respects when security forces opened fire on surging crowds, killing at least three people.

Prominent human rights group VOCAL Africa condemned the violence, saying on X (formerly Twitter) that it had confirmed “three bodies from Kasarani have been received this evening at City Mortuary.”

Despite the tragedy, thousands turned out again on Friday to bid farewell to a man seen by many as the symbol of Kenya’s long struggle for democratic reform.

Odinga’s body is expected to travel on Saturday to his ancestral home in western Kenya, where more large crowds are anticipated. He will be laid to rest on Sunday in a private burial ceremony attended by close family members.