Kenya’s veteran opposition figure and former Prime Minister, Raila Odinga, was laid to rest on Sunday, October 19, in his hometown of Bondo, with full state honours and military salutes marking the end of a towering political life.
His coffin, draped in the Kenyan flag, was carried by senior military officers who also stood as pallbearers during the solemn ceremony. The military played the Last Post as thousands of mourners stood in silence, paying their final respects to the man affectionately known as “Baba,” reports AFP.
Odinga passed away in India on Wednesday at the age of 80, triggering a wave of national grief. His death marked the end of an era for a man who had spent decades fighting for democratic reforms under the oppressive regime of former President Daniel arap Moi — a fight that saw him imprisoned multiple times and forced into exile.
Sunday’s burial followed several days of public memorials, which drew tens of thousands from across the country. Despite tensions earlier in the week — including deadly clashes in Nairobi that claimed five lives — the funeral proceeded peacefully in Bondo.
Grace Auma Lubale, a 40-year-old mourner, explained the importance of attending the burial in person:
“He taught us to fight for our rights. That’s why, according to our customs, we had to step on the soil where he will rest, so our hearts can be at peace,” she said.
“And we’ll miss him, but his legacy will remain in us.”
The state funeral began at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University — named after his father, another key political figure in Kenya’s history — before moving to the burial site nearby. The crowd frequently erupted into chants of “Jowi” (a symbol of strength and courage) and “Baba,” the Swahili nickname meaning “father,” by which Odinga was fondly known.
Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo and Kenya’s President William Ruto were among the dignitaries who paid tribute during the ceremony.
“It’s a big blow,” President Ruto said, reflecting on their recent political partnership after years of rivalry.
Though Odinga never attained the presidency despite contesting five times, he remained one of Kenya’s most influential political figures. He served as prime minister between 2008 and 2013 and was widely seen as a key force behind Kenya’s return to multi-party democracy in the 1990s.
According to local media, Odinga becomes the first Kenyan to receive a state funeral without ever holding the office of president — a testament to his stature in the national consciousness.
“Nobody gave him the title of kingpin — he earned it,” said Erick Saunda, a teacher from Kisumu.
“Baba is still in our hearts. No one can take his place. Even in death, he remains our hero.”
As the sun set over Bondo, chants, prayers, and tears filled the air — a farewell not just to a political leader, but to a symbol of resilience, reform, and hope.
