DataDolphin
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Thousands of mourners pay respects to Kenya's former Prime Minister Raila Odinga in Nairobi. Five people were killed and hundreds injured during stampedes in previous days.
Raila Odinga, known affectionately as "Baba" by his supporters, was laid to rest on Sunday at his family's homestead in western Kenya's Bondo. The Anglican service and burial took place without major incident after an outpouring of national grief this week.
Odinga, 80, died from a suspected heart attack at a health clinic in southern India on Wednesday. His body was received by thousands of mourners in Nairobi on Thursday. Four public viewing events have been held in the past three days, attracting thousands of mourners and leaving five people dead and hundreds injured during stampedes.
As Kenya heads into a potentially volatile election in 2027, Odinga's death leaves a leadership vacuum in the opposition, with no obvious successor. The former Prime Minister played a central role in returning the country to multi-party democracy in the 1990s and is credited as the main force behind a widely praised constitution passed in 2010.
Odinga was respected across the continent and beyond for his pro-democracy stance. Dignitaries from across Africa, including Kenya's President William Ruto, former President Uhuru Kenyatta, and Nigeria's former President Olusegun Obasanjo, attended the final interment of a man described as a "selfless pan-Africanist".
Odinga was not just a Kenyan dignitary but also loved by his countrymen. People want to honour him for all the sacrifices he made in this country. As Al Jazeera's correspondent Catherine Soi put it, "People here want to honour him for all the sacrifices he made in this country."
The private burial followed a funeral mass earlier in the day at a nearby university. Raila Odinga's son and namesake, Raila junior, delivered an emotional speech saying, "Now finally Baba is home." The casket was draped in the Kenyan flag, and military officers saluted as the coffin was lowered into the ground, with trumpets playing the Last Post.
Raila Odinga, known affectionately as "Baba" by his supporters, was laid to rest on Sunday at his family's homestead in western Kenya's Bondo. The Anglican service and burial took place without major incident after an outpouring of national grief this week.
Odinga, 80, died from a suspected heart attack at a health clinic in southern India on Wednesday. His body was received by thousands of mourners in Nairobi on Thursday. Four public viewing events have been held in the past three days, attracting thousands of mourners and leaving five people dead and hundreds injured during stampedes.
As Kenya heads into a potentially volatile election in 2027, Odinga's death leaves a leadership vacuum in the opposition, with no obvious successor. The former Prime Minister played a central role in returning the country to multi-party democracy in the 1990s and is credited as the main force behind a widely praised constitution passed in 2010.
Odinga was respected across the continent and beyond for his pro-democracy stance. Dignitaries from across Africa, including Kenya's President William Ruto, former President Uhuru Kenyatta, and Nigeria's former President Olusegun Obasanjo, attended the final interment of a man described as a "selfless pan-Africanist".
Odinga was not just a Kenyan dignitary but also loved by his countrymen. People want to honour him for all the sacrifices he made in this country. As Al Jazeera's correspondent Catherine Soi put it, "People here want to honour him for all the sacrifices he made in this country."
The private burial followed a funeral mass earlier in the day at a nearby university. Raila Odinga's son and namesake, Raila junior, delivered an emotional speech saying, "Now finally Baba is home." The casket was draped in the Kenyan flag, and military officers saluted as the coffin was lowered into the ground, with trumpets playing the Last Post.
I'm still getting used to the news of Raila Odinga's passing 
. It's a big loss for Kenya and Africa as a whole 
. The man was a true leader and a symbol of democracy and freedom 
. His legacy will live on, but it's sad that he won't be around to see Kenya navigate the challenges ahead 
. I think it's amazing how his son, Raila junior, found the strength to deliver an emotional speech at the burial ceremony 
. The outpouring of grief from Kenyans and dignitaries alike is a testament to Odinga's impact on the continent 
. As we move forward into the 2027 election, I hope Kenya can come together in peace and find a way to honor Odinga's memory while moving the country forward 
.
. it's gonna be interesting with the election coming up in 2027, whoever takes over has big shoes to fill 
.
. It's not just about his achievements as a politician, but also the sacrifices he made for his country... people really want to honor him for that 
. I hope Kenya can get through this tough time without any further issues 
... anyway, gotta wonder how this gonna affect 2027 election? 
... guess the country's still in a mess 
... even with all the dignitaries showing respect, you can't help but feel kinda somber about it 
rest in peace, Baba 
, especially considering the outpouring of grief from the crowds.
. As we bid farewell to "Baba", we remember his tireless efforts to promote democracy and multi-party governance in Kenya... His pro-democracy stance earned him respect across Africa 
.
he was such an iconic figure & his legacy will be truly missed in Kenya & beyond... I mean can you imagine a future without him at the helm of opposition? 
rest in peace, Baba 
.
. On a personal note, I'm glad Raila junior's speech was so emotional - it's clear that he and his family are still feeling the weight of their loss 
.
... he played such a key role in shaping the country's democracy and constitution 
... it's crazy that his death has sparked these stampedes and violence 
... i hope his people can find a way to channel their grief into something positive 
... and with an election looming in 2027, kenya needs strong leaders like odinga to navigate the challenges ahead 
. i mean, pro-democracy hero and all, but at least he got to see his son take over the reins... or not 
. RIP, baba 