Thousands of Kenyans gather in Nyayo Stadium for state funeral in Nairobi

1000’s of mourners are attending the state funeral of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga at a nationwide stadium within the Kenyan capital.

Many are carrying nationwide flags, portraits of the late chief, and sporting T-shirts printed along with his picture to pay their closing respects.

Safety stays tight in and across the stadium, with police and navy officers deployed to stop a recurrence of the unrest witnessed on Thursday throughout the body-viewing ceremony.

At the very least three folks died after police fired gunshots and tear fuel in an try and comprise the massive crowds who had turned out to escort Odinga’s physique from the nation’s principal airport after it arrived from India, the place he died on Wednesday.

The presidents of Somalia and Ethiopia are amongst regional leaders attending the funeral service on the Nyayo Nationwide Stadium.

As Odinga’s physique entered the stadium in a ceremonial navy procession, mourners broke into chants, whistles, and songs.

They chanted “Raila usilale, bado mapambano”, a preferred Swahili political slogan, which interprets as “Raila, do not sleep, the wrestle just isn’t over”.

It’s a symbolic enchantment for the late chief’s spirit to remain watchful, as his political wrestle continues.

“Raila hated dishonesty. He hated greed. The greed that has affected the material of our society,” stated Ida, Odinga’s widow, in her speech.

Bishop David Kodia, who led the service, stated Odinga by no means used his political energy and cash to intimidate folks.

Earlier on Friday morning, Odinga’s physique was taken to parliament, the place MPs and chosen dignitaries seen it.

Odinga, a large determine on Kenya’s political scene, died on Wednesday aged 80 in India, the place he had been receiving medical remedy.

Mourners have been carrying branches and palm fronds, an emblem of mourning and grief among the many Luo ethnic group to which Odinga belonged.

On Saturday his physique shall be transported to Kisumu, a metropolis in western Kenya on the shores of Lake Victoria – his political stronghold.

Members of the general public will get an opportunity to view the physique earlier than he’s buried on Sunday at his farm in Bondo, about 60km (40 miles) west of Kisumu.

In keeping with the household, it was Odinga’s want to be laid to relaxation inside the shortest time potential, ideally inside 72 hours.

A seven-day interval of mourning has been declared.

He was a towering determine in Kenyan politics and for a few years was the nation’s principal opposition chief, shedding 5 presidential campaigns, most lately three years in the past.

Odinga repeatedly stated he was cheated of victory, citing the manipulation of votes.