Tens of thousands of people gathered in Kisumu, Kenya, to honor the late Prime Minister Raila Odinga. The 80-year-old’s body is lying in state at the Jomo Kenyatta Stadium, a significant location for his political legacy, following a state funeral held in Nairobi two days after his passing in a hospital in India.
Security has been heightened in response to recent events mourning Odinga, which resulted in at least five fatalities. Mourners began arriving at the stadium before dawn, many wearing orange, the color of his political party, and carrying branches—a symbol of grief among the Luo ethnic group.
Odinga was a central figure in Kenya’s opposition politics, having contested five presidential elections, most recently three years ago, during which he claimed election fraud. He served as prime minister in a unity government after the contentious election of 2007 and is viewed as a key contributor to Kenya’s multi-party democracy.
Mourners expressed their sentiments, with some referring to him as an icon of Africa. One attendee noted, “I remember him for giving us democracy,” highlighting the impact his leadership had on civic freedoms. Another mourner emphasized lessons of resilience learned from Odinga’s political journey.
Noteworthy tributes have come from figures like former U.S. President Barack Obama, who praised Odinga’s dedication to democracy and his willingness to prioritize his country’s interests over personal ambition. Odinga is set to be buried on Sunday at his family farm in Bondo, adhering to his desire for a swift burial process, ideally within 72 hours of his death.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0rpn5pv4eko?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss