Hundreds match into the stadium to pay their last respects to Odinga
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I As hundreds lined up to pay their last respects to Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga in Nairobi on Friday, waving handkerchiefs and blowing vuvuzelas, something was amiss.
According to reports by Doctors Without Borders, two people were killed and more than 160 others were injured in a stampede at the state funeral.
The state funeral, held at Nairobi’s Nyayo National Stadium drew huge crowds, with a heavy security presence.
The aid group further said that during the ceremony, some members of the crowd surged forward to view Odinga’s body, crushing mourners to pulp.
“Two people have been confirmed dead in the melee that ensued and more than 160 others were injured,” said the aid group in a statement.
It added that it was not immediately clear if all the injuries, which included blunt trauma and fractures, were linked to the stampede.
The fatalities followed three deaths on Thursday when security forces fired shots at mourners who breached a gate at Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi during a public viewing of Odinga’s body.
The aid body further added that their teams were helping to provide treatment and evacuate the injured.
People in their thousands have taken to the streets to pay their respects and celebrate Odinga since early Thursday, with mourners storming the country’s main airport when the plane carrying his body arrived. That prompted a two-hour suspension of flights.
Though mainly known as an opposition figure, Odinga became prime minister in 2008 and also struck a political pact with former President Uhuru Kenyatta in 2018, and with Ruto last year in a career of shifting alliances.
Political heavy weight
The former political prisoner was a major figure for decades in Kenyan politics and ran unsuccessfully for president five times. He died aged 80 on Wednesday in India, where he had been receiving medical treatment.
At Friday’s service, thousands of mourners waved white handkerchiefs and danced under large banners with Odinga’s portrait. Others blew whistles and vuvuzelas in honour of the man they referred to as “Baba,” or father in Swahili.
Kenya President William Ruto attended Friday’s service which included military honors.
President William Ruto paying his last respects to the fallen East African political heavy weight, Odinga
Kenyan President William Ruto has paid tribute to former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, describing the late veteran politician as a guiding figure in Kenya’s democratic journey and a steadfast advocate for unity and justice.
Speaking during Odinga’s State Funeral at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi on Friday, Ruto reflected on his long political journey alongside Odinga, affectionately known as “Baba,” and acknowledged the pivotal role the opposition icon played in steering the nation during challenging times.
“I have come a very long way with Baba. I never imagined he would one day stand with me to steady the nation. To you, Baba, I owe you. I am truly and eternally grateful that our paths crossed, and that we shared this journey together,” Ruto said.
He further lauded Odinga’s unwavering commitment to the country, whenever the nation needed him to rise above self, he always did so unreservedly. “Whenever Kenya needed reason, he became the voice of reason courageously,” noted during the state funeral on Friday.
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Winnie Odinga, the late’s daughter said that she will miss more: “Would it be my Dad or my superhero,” she asked.
Odinga’s body will be taken for burial on Sunday in his homestead in western Kenya, where he commanded particularly deep devotion among members of his Luo tribe, many of whom believe he was cheated of the presidency by electoral fraud.
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