Thousands attend state funeral of former Kenyan Prime Minister Odinga
Thousands of mourners attend the state funeral of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga at a national stadium in the Kenyan capital.
Many carry national flags, portraits of the late leader and wear T-shirts printed with his image to pay their last respects.
Security remains tight in and around the stadium, with police and soldiers deployed to prevent a repeat of the unrest seen Thursday during the presentation of the bodies.
At least three people died after police fired shots and tear gas to try to contain the huge crowd that came to escort Odinga’s body from the country’s main airport after his arrival in India, where he died on Wednesday.
A military procession leads the service with Odinga’s coffin draped in the Kenyan flag. [Reuters]
The presidents of Somalia and Ethiopia are among regional leaders attending the funeral at Nyayo National Stadium.
As Odinga’s body entered the stadium in a ceremonial military procession, mourners began chanting, whistling and chanting.
They chanted “Raila usilale, bado mapambano,” a popular Swahili political slogan, which translates to “Raila, don’t sleep, the struggle is not over.”
It is a symbolic appeal to the spirit of the late leader to remain vigilant as his political struggle continues.
“Raila hated dishonesty. He hated greed. Greed that affected the social fabric,” Odinga’s widow Ida said in her speech.
Bishop David Kodia, who led the service, said Odinga never used his political power and money to intimidate people.
Earlier on Friday morning, Odinga’s body was taken to Parliament, where MPs and selected dignitaries viewed it.
Mourners carried palm branches and leaves [Reuters]
Odinga, a key figure on the Kenyan political scene, died Wednesday at the age of 80 in India, where he was receiving medical treatment.
Mourners carried palm branches and leaves, a symbol of mourning and sorrow among the Luo ethnic group to which Odinga belonged.
On Saturday, his body will be transported to Kisumu, a town in western Kenya located on the shores of Lake Victoria, his political stronghold.
Members of the public will have the chance to view the body before his burial on Sunday at his farm in Bondo, about 60 km (40 miles) west of Kisumu.
According to the family, Odinga wanted to be buried as soon as possible, ideally within 72 hours.
A seven-day mourning period was declared.
He was a prominent figure in Kenyan politics and was for many years the country’s main opposition leader, losing five presidential campaigns, most recently three years ago.
Odinga has repeatedly said he was deceived into victory, citing vote manipulation.
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