Kenya came to a standstill on Friday as thousands of mourners gathered at Nairobi’s Nyayo National Stadium to pay their last respects to the late opposition leader and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, whose death has plunged the nation into mourning. The 80-year-old political titan, affectionately known as “Baba,” meaning father in Swahili, was honoured with a full state funeral attended by President William Ruto, senior government officials, and dignitaries from across Africa, including Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.
The ceremony, intended as a solemn farewell, was marred by distressing scenes as a crowd crush injured several mourners. Local broadcaster NTV reported that the incident occurred as thousands tried to push into the already full stadium to catch a glimpse of Odinga’s flag-draped coffin. This followed the tragic events of Thursday, when security forces opened fire to disperse surging crowds during the public viewing of Odinga’s body, killing at least three people and leaving dozens wounded.
At Nyayo Stadium, a sea of mourners dressed in white waved handkerchiefs and danced to traditional songs in celebration of Odinga’s life and legacy. His portrait, draped across massive banners, watched over the crowd as vuvuzelas blared and chants of “Baba! Baba!” filled the air. The atmosphere was charged with emotion — a mixture of pride, pain, and disbelief that the man who had defined Kenya’s political landscape for more than four decades was gone.
Raila Odinga died from a suspected heart attack at a health clinic in southern India on Wednesday, sparking an immense outpouring of grief across Kenya and the African continent. Known as a tireless fighter for democracy, Odinga was central to Kenya’s political transformation. Despite running for president five times without success, he was revered for his role in ending one-party rule in the 1990s and for championing Kenya’s 2010 Constitution, which redefined the nation’s democratic structure.
For many Kenyans, Odinga’s name became synonymous with the struggle for justice, equality, and good governance. “Raila Odinga, the father of democracy in Kenya, was a selfless leader who risked everything — even his life — to make Kenya work,” said Jean Jerry Abeka, a 24-year-old mourner at the stadium. His sentiment echoed the feelings of millions who saw Odinga not just as a politician, but as a movement — a symbol of resilience and hope.
Odinga’s political journey was one of shifting alliances and dramatic turns. He served as Kenya’s Prime Minister from 2008 to 2013 following a power-sharing deal that ended the country’s post-election violence. He later made peace with former President Uhuru Kenyatta in 2018 through the famed “handshake” that reshaped Kenya’s political narrative. In recent years, he also reconciled with President Ruto, his longtime rival, in what many saw as a gesture of unity — though some critics viewed it as a betrayal of his opposition legacy.
Despite the controversies that trailed his later years, Raila Odinga’s imprint on Kenya’s democratic journey remains indelible. His fiery rhetoric, unwavering activism, and populist appeal made him a political force unmatched in East Africa. Yet, his death leaves a leadership vacuum in the opposition, with no clear successor to carry his mantle ahead of the 2027 elections.
While some young Kenyans had grown disillusioned with Odinga’s recent political compromises, the day’s atmosphere reflected a deep, emotional reconciliation. Many mourners said that regardless of political disagreements, Odinga would be remembered for his immense sacrifices and his lifelong fight for freedom and equality.
As his coffin was carried by Kenya Army officers, the stadium erupted in chants of farewell. Religious leaders led prayers for peace, unity, and a smooth transition in the country’s political landscape. President Ruto, in his tribute, described Odinga as “a patriot who dedicated his life to the service of Kenya, a man who challenged us all to think bigger and fight harder for our nation’s soul.”
Odinga’s body is set to travel to his ancestral home in western Kenya, where massive crowds are expected to welcome him before his private burial on Sunday. For millions of Kenyans, that final journey will not just mark the end of an era it will symbolize the passing of a generation that fought, bled, and dreamed of a more just Kenya.
Even in death, Raila Odinga’s influence reverberates through the hearts of his people. His story is one of courage, defiance, and enduring hope the story of a man who, despite never becoming president, will forever be remembered as the father of Kenyan democracy.
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