One of Kenya’s most respected politicians, former Prime Minister Cestica Odinga, received an emotional send-off at her state funeral in the capital, Nairobi.
Tens of thousands of people – many carrying branches as a traditional symbol of grief and wearing T-shirts printed with his image – cried and sang at the service at Lyayo National Stadium, where they paid their last respects.
“Every generation, a leader emerges whose influence outlives his moment,” said President William Ruto, telling the crowd of his former legacy as a democratic contender.
Two mourners later died as crowds lined up to see Odinga’s casket in state recognition, according to Médecins Sans Frontières.
The aid agency said the field hospital was in the field and attended to 163 patients and sent 34 others for further care.
The security police were able to restore order after that and the public viewing of his body was later done well.
This follows the death of at least three people on Thursday after police opened fire and destroyed firearms in an attempt to contain large crowds after the planes landed in India.
Odinga, who died in a hospital near the Indian city aged 80 on Wednesday, never made it to the people of the President of Kenya – but his daughter Winnie told the mourners each time with “kindness, forgiveness, and the hope of forgiveness”.
“I learned from him that the love of the country is not just in words;
The presidents of Somalia and Ethiopia were among the regional leaders who attended the service.
As Odinga’s body entered the arena in a ceremonial military parade, mourners broke up into a procession, whistles and chants.
They chewed “Utia seilale, bado Matambano”, a popular Swahili political slogan, which translates as “Oarlwa, we don’t sleep, the struggle never ends”.
It was a symbolic plea for the restless spirit of the leader to remain vigilant, as his political struggle continues.
During the ceremony, President Reto also led the mourners in singing the favorite Reggae Reggae song, Jamaican Farewell.
His widow Ida appealed to Kenya to support peace and unity as she mourned the man who, following a bloody and recent election, became prime minister in the federal government.
“Railaa hated dishonesty. He hated greed. Greed that has affected the fabric of our society,” he said.
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta brought a moment of infamy in his time.
“Sometimes after work, we would just sit, talk and laugh,” said Kenyatta, who backed Odinga’s unsuccessful fifth presidential bid in 2022, after beating him five years earlier.
Bishop David Kodiya, who led the service, said Odinga never used his political power and money to intimidate people.
One young man told the BBC that he arrived at the stadium at 06:00 to say his best to Odinga: “I believe in his dream for this country.”
At the end of the ceremony the woman expressed her feelings, telling the BBC: “Listen to us, we are disappointed – because it’s Luo [Odinga’s ethnic group] We celebrate life. To us, Raira was just a caretaker. “
Earlier on Friday morning, Odinga’s body was taken to Parliament, where MPs and elected officials viewed it.
On Saturday, his body will be sent to Kisumu, a city in western Kenya on the shores of Lake Victoria – his political stronghold.
Members of the public will have the opportunity to view the body before it is buried on Sunday at his farm in Bondo, about 40 kilometers) west of Kisumu.
Ayang Nyong’o, the current governor of Kisumu County who stood in for Odinga during the years of Kenyan politics known in the 1980s, said that without his sacrifices and the sacrifices of his colleagues, Kenya’s democracy would not be what it was today.
“I think his most enduring legacy was that it would gain respect from ordinary people – Ordinary Kenyans – that the BBC’s Kenyan Matters.
The governor, whose father is Hollywood actress Lupita Nyong’o, added that Ophinga’s battle for popularity cannot be underestimated.
“Raila’s love for Raila’s leadership through this and winning the war is something that goes to heaven dressed as Laurel,” he said.
According to the family, it was Odinga’s wish to be laid to rest in the shortest possible time, ideally within 72 hours.
A period of seven days of mourning has been declared.
He was the main opposition leader of the country for many years and repeatedly said that he was aiming for victory, to show the votes of the votes.
More reporting on Charles Haviland
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