Ruto Leads Emotional Farewell: Thousands Attend State Funeral for Kenyan Giant Raila Odinga

NAIROBI, Kenya — A sea of mourners, dignitaries, and regional leaders converged on Nairobi's Nyayo National Stadium today to pay final respects to former Prime Minister and veteran opposition figure, Raila Odinga, who was accorded a full state funeral with military honours.

President William Ruto led the somber proceedings, delivering a moving eulogy for his former rival and political partner, a gesture that underlined the national significance of Odinga's passing and the spirit of reconciliation he embodied.

Video of the event 

A Nation United in Grief

Thousands of Kenyans, many dressed in the colours of Odinga’s political movement, filled the stadium, waving white handkerchiefs and holding aloft portraits of the man affectionately known as "Baba" (Father). The atmosphere was a mix of profound sadness and celebratory fervour for a life spent fighting for democratic reform.

Odinga's flag-draped casket was conveyed into the stadium under a ceremonial military procession, a rare honour for a former Prime Minister and a testament to his outsized influence on Kenyan history.

Ruto’s Heartfelt Tribute

In his address, President Ruto honoured Odinga as a transformative leader and a pivotal figure in the country’s journey to multi-party democracy.

"I am truly and eternally grateful that our paths crossed, and that we shared this journey together," President Ruto said, acknowledging their complex relationship as "both collaborators and competitors, friends and rivals, but always patriotic Kenyans."

The President's tribute highlighted Odinga's sacrifice, including years of detention and political struggle, stating he endured persecution "so that this nation might know and enjoy democracy." Ruto also led the mourners in singing Odinga's favourite song, the reggae classic, "Jamaica Farewell."

The Legacy of the Reformer

Odinga, who died at the age of 80 in India while receiving medical treatment, ran for the presidency five times. Though he never won the top seat, he is widely revered as a tireless activist whose campaigns fundamentally shaped Kenya's political landscape, leading to the new Constitution in 2010.

His widow, Mama Ida Odinga, urged Kenyans to carry forward his legacy of peace and forgiveness. "Don't carry grudges from one generation to another. We are all Kenyans, and we must learn to forgive easily and build a united Kenya," she pleaded.

The state funeral was attended by numerous foreign dignitaries, including Presidents Hassan Sheikh Mohamud (Somalia) and Taye Sellasie (Ethiopia), as well as former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, reflecting Odinga's stature across the African continent.

Security Tight Amid Tragic Incidents

The day’s event proceeded under heavy security, following chaotic scenes a day earlier during a public viewing of the body at Kasarani Stadium, which tragically resulted in a stampede and fatalities as crowds attempted to surge towards the casket.

At Nyayo Stadium, a separate stampede broke out as dignitaries departed, and the public viewing of the body began, leading to a number of mourners being treated for injuries. The incidents underscore the deep, passionate, and often tumultuous devotion Odinga commanded from his millions of supporters.

The national mourning period, declared by President Ruto, will culminate in Odinga's final burial on Sunday at his rural home in Bondo, in his Nyanza political stronghold.