Mourning for Raila Odinga: Tens of thousands at a moving farewell ceremony

Mourning for Raila Odinga: Tens of thousands at a moving farewell ceremony

On October 18, 2025, tens of thousands of people gathered in Kisumu, Kenya, for the memorial service for the late opposition leader Raila Odinga. Odinga, who died on October 11, 2025 at the age of 80, presumably of a heart attack during a visit to India, leaves a significant vacuum in Kenyan politics. His body was returned to Kenya the day after his death, beginning an intense public mourning process.

The funeral service took place after turbulent days in Nairobi that saw chaotic scenes. Several people died and over 160 were injured, particularly in a stampede during the funeral at Nyayo Stadium on October 17. At least two people lost their lives in this incident.

Rest in Kisumu

The ceremony in Kisumu was quieter compared to previous celebrations. Although a gate to the stadium was breached during the memorial service, prompting fears of rioting, there were no reports of deaths. Rescuers had to evacuate around a hundred people, with 74 of them requiring medical attention due to injuries and dehydration.

The memorial service was attended by various high-profile personalities including former President Uhuru Kenyatta and other political leaders. President William Ruto was also present and led the dignities during the funeral services.

A political legacy

Raila Odinga was a central figure in Kenya's political landscape and had run for president five times, most recently in 2022. His political ambitions were often overshadowed by allegations of electoral fraud, which he blamed for his repeated defeats. He was an advocate for democratic rights and played a crucial role in the fight against one-party rule in Kenya.

Odinga, son of prominent independence fighter Jaramogi Oginga Odinga and the country's first vice president, was born on January 7, 1945 in Maseno. His political career began in the 1980s after he returned from East Germany and worked as a lecturer at the University of Nairobi and other national institutions. He brought about decisive changes by founding the National Development Party and uniting the opposition forces to form the National Rainbow Coalition.

His death is a bitter loss for the Kenyan opposition as no other political face can currently match his influence and charisma. With the next presidential election scheduled for 2027, it is uncertain who will fill the void left by Raila Odinga.

Raila Odinga will be remembered not only for his political struggles but also for his perseverance and commitment to democracy in Kenya. Already in 2025, he was sent by President William Ruto to mediate the crisis in South Sudan, and the year before he ran to become president of the African Union Commission.