Source: Africa Publicity
Thousands of Kenyans hit the streets of Nairobi and also besieged the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on Thursday to welcome home the body of late Kenyan Prime Minister, Raila Odinga.
Mr. Odinga died in India on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 from a reported heart failure.
On Thursday, crowds of mourners breached airport barricades in the national capital and flooded the ramp area of the airport as the welcomed the body of their political icon, a man they fondly called “Baba”.
A planned ceremonial reception of the body by close family and top leaders at the airport was disrupted when mourners demanded access to view the body.
Thousands of people, mainly youths were eager to view the body walked alongside the military vehicle carrying Odinga from the runway while waving twigs.
Odinga’s death has sent shockwaves and sadness across Kenya.
Kenyans have since the news of his death at age 80, taken to social media to mourn him.
President William Ruto announced on Wednesday that Mr. Odinga will be accorded a befitting state funeral.
Mr. Odinga’s funeral is reportedly slated for Sunday in his rural home of Bondo, in the western region of Kenya, as reports suggested that it was his dying wish that he be buried within 72 hours of his death.
President Ruto declaredFriday a public holiday when Kenyans will congregate at a football stadium in Nairobi for his state funeral service. Another public viewing will be held Saturday in the western county of Kisumu, close to his rural home.
Watch the video of mourners welcoming his body home to Kenya on Thursday, October 16, 2025
