By Muhammad Mamman
Kenya held a state funeral on Friday for revered opposition leader Raila Odinga, just a day after security forces opened fire on mourning crowds, killing at least three people.
Odinga, affectionately known as “Baba” (father), was widely seen as the most influential political figure of his generation. He passed away on Wednesday at the age of 80, following a suspected heart attack at a clinic in southern India.
Though he served as prime minister from 2008 to 2013, Odinga never won the presidency despite five attempts. Nevertheless, he played a pivotal role in restoring multi-party democracy in the 1990s and was the driving force behind Kenya’s acclaimed 2010 constitution.
Chaotic scenes unfolded on Thursday as his body was flown back from India and transported to a stadium on the outskirts of Nairobi to lie in state. According to rights group VOCAL Africa, at least three people were shot dead by security forces as crowds pushed towards a VIP gate at the venue.
The group confirmed on X that “three bodies from Kasarani (stadium) have been received this evening at City Mortuary”.
President William Ruto attended the funeral service at Nairobi’s Nyayo Stadium on Friday, alongside regional leaders including Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.
Odinga’s body will next be taken to western Kenya, his family’s home region, where more massive crowds are expected on Saturday ahead of a private burial on Sunday.
His death has left a leadership void in the opposition, with no clear successor emerging as the country looks ahead to a potentially contentious 2027 election.
