Nairobi, October 17, 2025
— Grief and chaos marked the state funeral of Kenya’s opposition leader and
former Prime Minister Raila Odinga on Friday, as thousands of mourners
packed Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi to pay their final respects to the man
affectionately known as “Baba” (father).
The 80-year-old died on Wednesday in southern India
from a suspected heart attack, triggering an outpouring of sorrow across Kenya
for a leader widely regarded as one of the country’s most influential political
figures.
“He walked among us as a man but also charged among us
as a movement for change, a movement for justice… for a better and greater
Kenya,” President William Ruto told the crowd during the ceremony.
Moments later, a surge of mourners trying to
reach Odinga’s coffin caused panic on the stadium pitch, leaving dozens
injured. Witnesses and AFP journalists reported people collapsing and
suffering broken bones or breathing difficulties as ambulances rushed onto
the field to assist the injured.
The tragedy came a day after security forces opened
fire at another public viewing of Odinga’s body, killing at least three
people and injuring several others. The shooting occurred when crowds
attempted to enter a VIP gate at a stadium in the outskirts of Nairobi.
Rights group VOCAL Africa said the deaths were
confirmed by the city morgue, where families identified the bodies
bearing what appeared to be bullet wounds. “The excessive use of force against
mourners is totally unwarranted,” said Hussein Khalid, the group’s
director. “We are calling on the police to exercise utmost restraint… We don’t
want to see more deaths associated with this funeral.”
One victim, Evans Kiche, was identified by
relatives, while another was named as Vincent Otieno Ogutu’s
brother-in-law. A third victim has yet to be identified. Autopsies are expected
on Tuesday to determine whether live rounds were used.
Odinga, who served as Prime Minister from 2008 to
2013, was a central figure in Kenya’s transition to multi-party democracy
in the 1990s and a key architect of the 2010 Constitution. Despite five
unsuccessful presidential bids, he remained a symbol of reform and resilience.
“I have freedom of speech because of Raila… I’m here
because he is the father,” said Paul Oloo, a mourner at the funeral.
Odinga’s body will travel next to western Kenya,
his ancestral home region, where more massive crowds are expected on Saturday
ahead of a private burial on Sunday.
His death leaves a significant leadership vacuum
in Kenya’s opposition movement, with no clear successor as the country looks
ahead to the 2027 general election.
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