Thousands of mourners gathered in Nairobi on Friday for the state funeral of Kenya’s longtime opposition leader, Raila Odinga, under tight security following deadly clashes a day earlier.
Odinga, 80, a towering figure in Kenyan politics who spent decades fighting for democracy and was detained as a political prisoner, died on Wednesday in India, where he had been receiving medical treatment.
Crowds had flooded the streets from Thursday morning to welcome his body home, storming the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and later breaching security gates at the Nairobi stadium where a public viewing was held. Police fired shots in the air and used tear gas to control the crowd, leaving at least three people dead and dozens injured, according to police and local media reports.
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On Friday, security was heavily reinforced around parliament and the Nyayo National Stadium, where the main funeral service took place. President William Ruto, cabinet members, and top judicial and parliamentary officials attended the ceremony, alongside several African leaders, including Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.
At the stadium, mourners waved white handkerchiefs, danced, and chanted Odinga’s nickname, “Baba” (Father in Swahili), in celebration of his lifelong struggle for democracy. Giant banners bearing his portrait adorned the venue as choirs performed patriotic songs.
“Raila Odinga, the father of democracy in Kenya, was a selfless leader who would risk everything even his life to make Kenya work,” said 24-year-old Jean Jerry Abeka, one of the mourners.
Though widely regarded as Kenya’s most prominent opposition leader, Odinga also served as prime minister from 2008 to 2013 following a power-sharing deal after post-election violence. Known for his shifting political alliances, he forged peace pacts with former President Uhuru Kenyatta in 2018 and with President Ruto last year.
Odinga, revered by many within his Luo ethnic group and across the country, is remembered as a tireless advocate for democratic reforms and national unity a legacy that has defined Kenya’s modern political history.
