Kenya bid farewell to one of its most influential and polarizing political figures on October 17, 2025, as tens of thousands gathered at Nairobi’s Nyayo National Stadium for the state funeral of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga. The event, marked by both deep sorrow and high drama, capped days of national mourning and unrest following Odinga’s sudden death from a suspected heart attack in southern India just two days prior.
The outpouring of grief for Odinga, affectionately called “Baba” (father in Swahili), was palpable. From the early hours, crowds swelled around the stadium, many clutching Kenyan flags, palm fronds—a Luo mourning symbol—and portraits of the late leader. Others wore T-shirts emblazoned with his image or waved white handkerchiefs, while the air reverberated with the sound of whistles and vuvuzelas. As reported by BBC, the mood was both celebratory and somber, with mourners eager to pay their final respects to the man who had shaped Kenya’s political landscape for decades.
Security was visibly tight, a stark reminder of the chaos that had erupted the previous day. According to Al Jazeera and BBC, at least three people were killed and dozens injured on October 16 when police fired live rounds and tear gas to disperse crowds escorting Odinga’s body from Nairobi’s main airport to a stadium for public viewing. The prominent rights group VOCAL Africa confirmed the deaths, stating on X, “three bodies from Kasarani (stadium) have been received this evening at City Mortuary.” Kenyan police also reported three fatalities, though local broadcasters KTN News and Citizen TV suggested the number could be as high as four. The violence cast a shadow over the mourning period and prompted authorities to deploy both police and military officers in and around the stadium to prevent further unrest.
Despite these tensions, Friday’s funeral unfolded with a sense of unity and reflection. President William Ruto, heads of parliament and the judiciary, and regional leaders—including Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Ethiopia’s President—joined the ceremony. The gathering underscored Odinga’s stature not just in Kenya but across East Africa. As Odinga’s flag-draped coffin entered the stadium in a ceremonial military procession, the crowd erupted into chants of “Raila usilale, bado mapambano,” a Swahili slogan meaning “Raila, don’t sleep, the struggle is not over.” It was a symbolic plea for his legacy of political activism to endure beyond his passing.
During the service, President Ruto led mourners in singing Odinga’s favorite reggae tune, “Jamaican Farewell,” bringing a rare moment of levity to an otherwise heavy day. Former President Uhuru Kenyatta, who had both competed against and supported Odinga over the years, shared a personal anecdote: “Sometimes after work, we would just sit together, talking and laughing.” It was a reminder of the complex, often shifting alliances that defined Odinga’s long career.
Odinga’s widow, Ida, struck a somber note as she addressed the nation. “Raila hated dishonesty. He hated greed. The greed that has affected the fabric of our society,” she said, urging Kenyans to honor her husband’s legacy by upholding peace and unity. Bishop David Kodia, who led the service, emphasized Odinga’s integrity, noting, “He never used his political power and money to intimidate people.”
The events of the funeral were not without their own perils. NTV and BBC reported a crowd crush at the stadium as mourners rushed to view Odinga’s body, resulting in several injuries. The Kenya Red Cross posted on X that they “attended to one person who fainted inside the stadium,” while security officers quickly moved to restore order. The sheer scale of the turnout spoke to Odinga’s enduring appeal across generations and communities, even as his political legacy remains hotly debated.
Born into a prominent political family, Raila Odinga was a central figure in Kenya’s return to multi-party democracy in the 1990s and played a pivotal role in the adoption of the widely praised 2010 constitution. He served as prime minister in 2008 after a disputed election and subsequent power-sharing deal, and over the years forged alliances with both former President Uhuru Kenyatta and current President William Ruto. Despite contesting the presidency five times—most recently in 2022—Odinga never secured the top office, repeatedly alleging electoral manipulation and fraud. As BBC noted, he was often seen as the “father of democracy in Kenya,” but his later years saw criticism from some quarters, especially among youth activists who accused him of compromising with the establishment.
Al Jazeera’s Catherine Soi highlighted this duality, reporting, “Odinga’s political party aligned with the government so a lot of people say that he was a betrayer. However, right now they’re saying that even though there was anger, a lot of them are saying they want to remember him for the things that he did for this country.” Jean Jerry Abeka, a 24-year-old mourner, perhaps summed it up best when speaking to Reuters: “Raila Odinga, the father of democracy in Kenya, was a selfless leader who would risk everything—even his life—to make Kenya work.”
After the funeral, Odinga’s body was taken to parliament for a final viewing by MPs and dignitaries. On October 18, the procession will continue to Kisumu, his political stronghold on the shores of Lake Victoria, before a private burial at his family farm in Bondo, about 60 kilometers west of Kisumu, on October 19. The family revealed it was Odinga’s wish to be laid to rest within 72 hours of his death, and a seven-day period of national mourning has been declared.
As Kenya looks ahead to a potentially volatile election in 2027, Odinga’s passing leaves a significant void in the country’s opposition. With no clear successor on the horizon, the future of Kenya’s political landscape remains uncertain. For now, however, the nation pauses to remember a leader whose imprint on democracy and public life will not soon be forgotten.