The body of Raila Odinga, Kenya’s former Prime Minister and a towering figure of its opposition, arrived in Nairobi on Thursday, met by a massive and emotional crowd, marking the start of a national period of mourning for a man who shaped the nation’s democracy for decades.
The aircraft carrying Odinga’s remains landed at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport shortly before 10 a.m.
As the coffin exited the tarmac, thousands of Kenyans gathered, waving flags, singing the national anthem, and chanting in tribute to the leader they affectionately called “Baba.”
The scene was both solemn and vibrant, with a procession of iconic motorcycle taxis, “boda bodas,” accompanying the hearse, illustrating his deep connection with the populace.
Odinga, who died at 80 from a suspected heart attack while on a walk with his family and doctor in India, was a defining force in Kenyan politics.