Thousands of mourners gathered on Sunday in Bondo, Siaya County, to pay their final respects to opposition leader Raila Odinga, who died at age 80 in India while receiving medical treatment.
The body of Odinga, decked in a Kenyan national flag, was carried into the chapel at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology amid military honours. Mourners held twigs and Kenyan flags symbols of peace, resistance and hope.
Among the mourners were President William Ruto, former President Uhuru Kenyatta and other African dignitaries, all recognising Odinga’s role as a key figure in Kenya’s democratic journey.
Odinga was laid to rest beside his father Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, Kenya’s first vice-president, in accordance with the family’s wishes and Luo cultural tradition. A 17-gun salute rang out as the coffin was lowered marking state respect and personal farewell. For many mourners, the burial was more than a ceremony,it was a final act of connection between a leader and the people.
President William Ruto on the other hand ascertained the ODM members of his support for the party. “I assure ODM members that we will support them, because Baba believed in the multiplicity of parties. The strength of ODM matters to me because it is how we are going to have a strong democracy.” He said
As dusk settled over Bondo’s fields in western Kenya, the rhythm of drums subsided, the hymns came to an end, and the grave was finally covered. Draped quietly across the casket lay the national flag. The man affectionately called “Baba” finally found his rest.
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