Former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga was laid to rest in western Kenya following a memorial service attended by thousands on Sunday. His son, Raila Odinga Jr., remarked by his father’s casket, which was draped in the Kenyan flag, that “Now finally Baba is home.” Odinga passed away on Wednesday at the age of 80 in India.
The burial capped several days of memorials, some of which experienced unrest, leading to the deaths of at least five mourners and numerous injuries at a public viewing held the day prior. Odinga had been a prominent figure in Kenyan politics, serving as prime minister after the contentious 2007 elections and facing defeat in five subsequent presidential campaigns, most recently three years ago.
He enjoyed strong support in western Kenya, where he was viewed as a significant leader. Former U.S. President Barack Obama described him as a “true champion of democracy.” At the memorial service in Bondo, politicians, supporters, and family members gathered, waving Kenyan flags and displaying Odinga’s images. Speakers, including President William Ruto, reflected on Odinga’s contributions to the nation, emphasizing his commitment to justice and democracy.
Odinga was interred near his family’s homestead, where a mausoleum is located. Prior memorials included a state funeral in Nairobi and a public viewing in Kisumu, where tens of thousands paid their respects. During the Kisumu event, some attendees expressed emotional distress, with phrases like “we are orphans” echoing through the crowd. Reports indicated that at least three fatalities occurred when police used force to control the gathering, prompting further scrutiny of the events surrounding his memorial.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cgjd6j3j099o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss