NAIROBI, Kenya (FN) — The body of longtime Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga arrived in Nairobi on Thursday, a day after his death in India from a suspected heart attack. His passing has triggered a wave of national mourning across the country.
A large crowd gathered at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to receive the coffin, which was draped in the Kenyan flag. Supporters chanted liberation songs and held portraits of Odinga, whose political career spanned decades and shaped Kenya’s democratic landscape.
Odinga, 80, died on Wednesday while visiting a health clinic in southern India. He had traveled there for medical consultations, according to officials. His death was confirmed by Kenyan authorities later that day.
President William Ruto declared seven days of national mourning, calling Odinga “a patriot and one of the greatest architects of modern Kenya.” Flags will fly at half-staff nationwide, and condolence books have been opened in government offices.
Odinga ran for the presidency five times, most recently in 2022, but never won. Despite electoral defeats, he remained a powerful figure in Kenyan politics, known for his role in championing multiparty democracy and challenging entrenched systems.
His body will lie in state at Parliament, where thousands are expected to pay their respects. Public grieving spaces have been established across Nairobi to accommodate mourners ahead of Friday’s state funeral.
On Saturday, the body will be flown to Kisumu in western Kenya, where Odinga was born and maintained strong political support. A public viewing will be held at Jomo Kenyatta Sports Grounds before the final journey to his hometown.
The burial service is scheduled for Sunday in Bondo, Siaya County. Local leaders, foreign dignitaries, and members of the public are expected to attend the ceremony.
Odinga served as Kenya’s prime minister from 2008 to 2013 and held various ministerial roles throughout his career. He was detained multiple times during the 1980s and 1990s for his activism, emerging as a symbol of resistance and reform.
His death marks the end of an era in Kenyan politics, leaving behind a legacy of resilience, advocacy, and unwavering commitment to democratic ideals.
