Kenyans had turned out in giant numbers to mourn Odinga after the democratic reformer’s dying on Wednesday at age 80 in Kerala, reflecting the outsized affect the revered statesman had on political life within the East African nation.
A stampede ensued on the stadium within the capital, Nairobi, as the general public seen his physique after the service. Doctors Without Borders, recognized by its French acronym MSF, mentioned two individuals died and 163 sufferers have been handled on the scene with 34 of them referred to hospitals.
The Kenyan Red Cross mentioned the chaos “left many in want of pressing care.” A supply on the nation’s foremost referral hospital mentioned that they had acquired dozens of sufferers.
Odinga’s brother, Oburu, urged Kenyans on Friday night time to be calm and mourn peacefully.
“Raila shouldn’t be teargassed in dying. He has been teargassed sufficient when he was alive, please allow us to not trigger a state of affairs the place he’s teargassed once more,” he mentioned.
Heavy safety after 3 died on Thursday
Thousands crammed the stadium the place Odinga’s casket was coated within the nationwide flag for an Anglican Church service. They chanted and held up portraits of Odinga, whereas some carried twigs, a logo of peace and unity in Kenyan custom.
There was heavy safety on the stadium after three individuals died throughout Thursday’s public viewing as police tried to regulate an enormous crowd at one other stadium.
At least 10 individuals have been injured at Thursday’s occasion after police fired reside bullets and tear fuel at a surging crowd making an attempt to achieve a pavilion the place the casket was positioned.
The coffin carrying the stays of former Kenya Prime Minister Raila Odinga arrives for his state funeral at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi, Kenya, Friday, Oct. 17, 2025. | Photo Credit: AP
An honoured statesman
Odinga ran for Kenya’s presidency 5 instances over three many years, and though he by no means succeeded in changing into President, he’s revered for a lifetime of activism that helped steer Kenya towards changing into a vibrant multiparty democracy.
Odinga’s physique lay in state in Parliament on Friday morning forward of the funeral, an honour solely reserved for the President and former Presidents.
President William Ruto mentioned Odinga deserved the honour for having been a legislator for 15 years, including that he performed “a pivotal position in shaping a number of the most consequential legal guidelines in our Republic’s historical past.”
Mr. Ruto campaigned for Odinga in 2007 — a disputed election that was marred by violence. The two males have been rivals in subsequent elections, together with the newest one in 2022.
The two leaders signed an settlement this yr after months of anti-government protests, and the pact noticed opposition celebration members appointed to Cabinet positions.
On Friday, Mr. Ruto led the mourners in singing Odinga’s favorite music, Harry Belafonte’s “Jamaica Farewell,” and mentioned Odinga helped him regular the nation earlier within the yr.
“Whenever the nation wanted him to rise above [the] self, he all the time did so unreservedly,” he mentioned.
David Kodia, the Anglican bishop who led the service, urged the leaders current to be “selfless” like Odinga and to shun corruption. Odinga was a practising member of the church.
Political analyst Herman Manyora instructed The Associated Press that the love displayed by so many mourners was a mirrored image of his work for democracy.
“You cannot level at a person extra keen to sacrifice all the pieces only for the sake of his individuals,” mentioned Mr. Manyora, who is predicated on the University of Nairobi.
Odinga’s household pay tribute
Among the mourners have been Odinga’s spouse Ida, daughters Winnie and Rosemary, and son Raila Odinga Junior.
Ms. Ida urged Kenyans to mourn peacefully and mentioned her husband hated dishonesty and greed. Winnie, who was with him in India, led the mourners to chanting within the native Luo language. She mentioned her father died “robust, with dignity and satisfaction” after he pushed his morning stroll from his common two to 5 rounds across the hospital the place he was being handled.
His son Junior, donning his father’s beaded hat and a fly whisk, mentioned he would care for the household as the only real surviving son.
Kenyans will on Saturday have another alternative to view Odinga’s physique within the western metropolis of Kisumu, close to his rural residence in Bondo the place he might be buried on Sunday. His household mentioned he had requested to be buried shortly, ideally inside 72 hours, which is uncommon for common leaders on this East African nation.
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