Kenya came to a standstill on Thursday as thousands thronged the streets and Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to welcome home the body of veteran opposition leader Raila Odinga, who died in India on Wednesday.
The unprecedented crowds forced authorities to suspend all flights temporarily and alter memorial plans.
In a statement, the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) said flight operations were halted “to restore order and ensure safety” as mourners overwhelmed access roads and airport facilities.
Odinga’s body, flown in from southern India where he reportedly suffered a heart attack while visiting a health clinic, was initially taken to the Parliament Buildings in Nairobi. But as supporters surged and climbed the gates, security agents redirected the procession to Kasarani Stadium, where tens of thousands continued to gather.
On Wednesday, President William Ruto declared seven days of national mourning in honour of the 80-year-old political icon, ordering flags to fly at half-mast nationwide.
“Kenya has lost one of its greatest sons, a patriot whose courage, conviction, and lifelong fight for democracy shaped our nation,” Ruto said in a televised address. “We will honour his legacy with dignity and unity.”
The government also announced the creation of designated “public grieving spaces” across Nairobi to accommodate the swelling crowds expected ahead of the state funeral on Friday.
State television showed scenes of mourning in Bondo, Odinga’s ancestral home in western Kenya, where preparations were underway for his burial on Sunday. Across the region, mourners chanted liberation songs, waved green branches, a traditional symbol of peace and respect, and carried portraits of the late leader.
Odinga, who ran unsuccessfully for president five times, was a towering figure in Kenyan politics for more than four decades. A former prime minister and democracy campaigner, he was widely revered for his role in advancing multiparty reforms and defending electoral rights.
As dusk fell, crowds continued to sing and dance outside Kasarani, chanting his name and vowing to keep his legacy alive.
“Raila fought for us. Today, we fight to honour him,” said one mourner, clutching a Kenyan flag streaked with tears.
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