Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, Kenya, was forced to temporarily suspend operations for two hours on Thursday morning after massive crowds of mourners breached security protocols following the arrival of the body of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
Thousands of mourners, many carrying twigs and palm branches as symbols of grief and respect, overwhelmed security arrangements at the airport.
The unexpected surge in crowds prompted authorities to redirect the planned public viewing from Parliament to the larger Moi International Sports Centre in Kasarani.
Across the capital, major roads were paralyzed as mourners filled the streets surrounding Lee Funeral Home, Parliament, and other key locations seeking a final glimpse of the iconic opposition leader, who passed away at the age of 80.
According to the official funeral schedule, a state funeral service will be held at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi on Friday, October 17.
On Saturday, October 18, the body will be flown to Kisumu, a lakeside city in western Kenya.
There, members of the public will have another opportunity to view the body before Odinga is laid to rest on Sunday, October 19, at his family farm in Bondo, roughly 60 kilometers from Kisumu.
Odinga, a towering figure in Kenyan politics and a long-time opposition leader, collapsed during a morning walk while in India on Wednesday, October 15.
He was rushed to Devamatha Hospital, where he was pronounced dead from cardiac arrest.
In recognition of his lifelong contribution to the nation, President William Ruto has declared a seven-day national mourning period and announced that Odinga will be accorded a state funeral with full military honors.
Meanwhile, in Uganda, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for East African Community Affairs, Rebecca Kadaga, paid tribute to Odinga, calling him “a symbol of resilience, a voice for justice, and a champion for African unity.”
“Odinga was a man who endured humiliation, imprisonment, and exile—but through it all, he remained steadfast in his fight for a better Kenya,” Kadaga said. “His legacy will live on in the hearts of those who believe in democracy, dignity, and the power of the people.”
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