Kenya was plunged into mourning and chaos this week as the nation bid farewell to one of its most influential political figures, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, whose sudden death in India on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, sent shockwaves across the country. Odinga, aged 80, collapsed during a morning walk in Kerala state and could not be revived despite efforts at Devamatha Hospital, according to The Associated Press and BBC News.
News of Odinga’s passing ignited an outpouring of grief. Thousands of supporters, many referring to him affectionately as “Baba,” a Kiswahili term for father, gathered at Nairobi’s main airport on Thursday, October 16, 2025, awaiting the arrival of his body. The crowd was so massive that authorities were forced to temporarily suspend flights for two hours, as mourners gained access to restricted areas. The scene was marked by a poignant water cannon salute, with firetrucks creating an arch of water over the chartered plane that brought Odinga home, as reported by BBC News.
The procession from the airport to the stadium was a striking display of unity and sorrow. Thousands of mourners walked alongside the military vehicle carrying Odinga’s body for nearly 18 miles (29 kilometers), waving palm fronds and branches—a traditional symbol of mourning among the Luo ethnic group, to which Odinga belonged. The public viewing was initially planned for the parliament building, but due to the sheer size of the crowd, it was shifted to the 60,000-capacity Moi International Sports Centre in Nairobi’s Kasarani neighborhood.
As the convoy arrived at the stadium, anticipation quickly turned to unrest. According to the Associated Press, tensions flared when a large crowd surged toward the pavilion where Odinga’s casket was placed, attempting to breach security barriers. Police responded by firing tear gas and, according to multiple sources including Vocal Africa and the BBC, live rounds into the crowd. The chaos led to a stampede near the stadium gates, with mourners fleeing for safety. Vocal Africa’s CEO, Hussein Khalid, confirmed to the BBC that three bodies with gunshot wounds were brought to the city’s main mortuary, while local media reported a possible fourth death. The Associated Press reported at least two deaths, and both outlets noted that an unknown number of people were injured in the melee.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic and violence. The BBC reported that men in civilian clothing were seen beating protesters with batons amid the confusion. Meanwhile, President William Ruto, members of the Odinga family, and other dignitaries were locked inside a room at the stadium for their safety as the unrest unfolded. After calm was restored, dignitaries and officials were able to pay their respects, and the public viewing was eventually held outside the stadium gates later in the day.
The tragedy at the stadium cast a somber shadow over what was intended to be a dignified farewell for a man widely regarded as a champion of democracy. Odinga’s political legacy is formidable: over three decades, he ran for the presidency five times, coming closest in 2007 during a hotly contested and disputed election that led to widespread violence. He served as prime minister from 2008 to 2013 in a unity government formed through international mediation. His challenges to election results, particularly the 2017 court case that led to the nullification of the presidential election—a first in Africa—were seen by many as pivotal moments in Kenya’s democratic evolution.
“We are in mourning as a country. We loved Baba so much, he was the defender of the people,” said Beatrice Adala, a mourner at the airport, as quoted by the Associated Press. The sentiment was echoed by many who gathered, some arriving as early as six in the morning to catch a glimpse of the casket. Motorcycle rider William Otieno Adoyo told the BBC, “We want to see Baba, how do we know it’s him in the casket? Let them show us and we’ll be contented.”
President Ruto, who won the 2022 election against Odinga but later entered a political pact with him to include opposition members in the Cabinet, praised Odinga as “a patriot of uncommon courage, a pan-Africanist, a unifier who sought peace and unity above power and self-gain.” Ruto declared seven days of national mourning starting October 16, 2025, and announced that Friday, October 17, would be a public holiday, with a state funeral service planned at a different stadium in Nairobi. The funeral proceedings are to continue with another public viewing in Kisumu, Odinga’s political stronghold in western Kenya, on Saturday, October 18, before his burial at his rural home in Bondo on Sunday, October 19.
Odinga’s family has stated that it was his wish to be buried quickly, ideally within 72 hours—a request that stands in contrast to the more prolonged ceremonies often accorded to national leaders in Kenya. The BBC noted that after Friday’s state funeral, the public would be invited to view the body “for as long as is necessary,” reflecting the deep connection many Kenyans feel toward the late leader.
The violence at the stadium has prompted questions about crowd control, police response, and the handling of public grief. Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, who is chairing the funeral planning committee, held a press briefing on Thursday evening but did not address the deaths or the chaos directly. Human rights groups, such as Vocal Africa, have called for accountability and a thorough investigation into the use of force by police. The Associated Press and BBC both reported uncertainty over whether police used live ammunition or rubber bullets, but Vocal Africa stated that the deceased had sustained gunshot wounds.
Odinga’s impact on Kenyan politics cannot be overstated. He was a founding father of Kenya’s multiparty democracy, a tireless advocate for electoral reform, and—despite never clinching the presidency—a revered statesman whose influence shaped the country’s political landscape. For many Kenyans, his passing marks the end of an era, and the chaotic scenes at his memorial serve as a stark reminder of the passions he inspired, as well as the challenges that remain in managing public expression and state response during moments of national grief.
As preparations continue for the state funeral and final burial in Bondo, Kenya stands united in mourning, even as it grapples with the tragic events that have marred Odinga’s farewell. The coming days will be a testament to the late leader’s enduring legacy and the nation’s resolve to honor his memory with both dignity and peace.