Thousands of mourners gathered in western Kenya on Sunday to say their final goodbyes to opposition leader Raila Odinga, whose death at 80 brought an outpouring of grief across the nation. The veteran politician was buried near his family home in Bondo, on the shores of Lake Victoria, following an Anglican service attended by relatives, foreign dignitaries and political leaders.
The funeral, held under tight security, marked the culmination of a week of national mourning that saw deadly stampedes at earlier memorial events. At least five people were killed and hundreds injured in chaotic scenes as mourners jostled for a final glimpse of Odinga’s body, according to local media and police reports.
“Now, finally, Baba is home,” said his son, Raila Odinga Jr., using the affectionate nickname meaning “father” in Swahili. His father’s casket, draped in the Kenyan flag, was escorted by a military band and received a gun salute before being lowered into the ground in a private ceremony.
Tributes poured in from across Africa and beyond. Former U.S. President Barack Obama praised Odinga on social media as “a champion of peace who placed his country’s interests ahead of personal ambitions,” noting that few leaders had shown such a willingness to reconcile without abandoning their principles.
Kenyan President William Ruto, former President Uhuru Kenyatta, and Nigeria’s former President Olusegun Obasanjo were among those who attended the funeral in Bondo. The service was described by attendees as both solemn and celebratory, reflecting Odinga’s decades-long role in shaping Kenya’s political landscape.
Odinga’s death in India, where he had been receiving medical treatment, ended one of the most influential political careers in East Africa. Known for his fiery speeches and populist appeal, he spent decades championing democracy and reform in Kenya. He ran unsuccessfully for the presidency five times and served as prime minister between 2008 and 2013 after a power-sharing deal that ended post-election violence.
Despite his reputation as a lifelong opposition figure, Odinga forged unexpected alliances over the years, including with Kenyatta in 2018 and Ruto last year.
“I still can’t believe Baba is gone,” said Ainea Opilu, a 25-year-old teacher who travelled from Kisumu to attend the burial. “He stood for ordinary people. Losing him feels like losing a piece of Kenya’s soul.”.
Africa Digital News, New York
