Tens of Thousands Mourn Former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga

Tens of thousands of mourners gathered today in Kisumu, Kenya, to pay their final respects to former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, whose death at an Indian hospital on Wednesday has prompted an outpouring of grief across the nation and beyond.

Crowds filed past Odinga’s open coffin at the Jomo Kenyatta Stadium, many expressing their sorrow with the phrase “we are orphans.” “I have come here to mourn an icon of Africa,” mourner Dixon Ochieng told reporters. Odinga, 80, was a pivotal figure in Kenyan politics for over three decades, and his passing leaves a significant void in the country’s political landscape.

Following the public viewing, Odinga’s body was transported to his farm for burial. His widow, Ida Odinga, urged those gathered to grieve peacefully, referencing previous incidents at other events that resulted in multiple injuries and five deaths. Former U.S. President Barack Obama, whose Kenyan family hails from the same region, offered his condolences via X, describing Odinga as a “true champion of democracy” and praising his commitment to peaceful reconciliation, stating, “Like few other leaders anywhere, he was willing to choose the path of peaceful reconciliation without compromising his core values.” You can read more about Odinga’s long political career here.

Mourners reflected on Odinga’s impact on Kenya, with Jacob Omondi stating, “I remember him for giving us democracy, for giving me our freedom.” David Ouma added, “One of the most important lessons I’ve learned from Raila is to be resilient.” A funeral service will be held Sunday at a university in Bondo, followed by a private burial at his father’s homestead. The family requested a swift burial, aiming for completion within 72 hours of his death, in accordance with Odinga’s wishes. Reuters has more on the ongoing mourning period.