NAIROBI – Kenyan President William Ruto has announced seven days of national mourning and a state funeral for former prime minister Raila Odinga, who died on Wednesday following a cardiac arrest while receiving medical treatment in India.
Odinga had been at the centre of Kenyan politics for decades, making alliances with rivals and inspiring loyalty from his base. His death shocked Kenyans as thousands take to the streets holding tree leaves to mourn him.
President Ruto announced seven days of national mourning and a state funeral for opposition leader Raila Odinga, who died on Wednesday.
Ruto described him as “Kenya’s foremost statesman and one of Africa’s greatest sons… a giant of democracy, a fearless freedom fighter and a tireless warrior of good governance.”
Ruto said he would postpone all his public engagements in the coming days “as a mark of respect”.
Odinga had been receiving medical treatment abroad and suffered a cardiac arrest, according to the hospital in the Indian city of Kochi, where he died.
Odinga’s ability to work with rivals earned him the nickname “Agwambo” (“mysterious one”) in the Luo language.
Supporters called him “Baba” (“father” in Swahili), refusing to turn their back even when he was accused of exploiting ethnic divisions for political gain or of striking deals with opponents for the sake of personal power.
Upon news of his passing, hundreds of supporters from the Nairobi slum of Kibera, many crying and waving twigs to ward off bad omens, made their way in a procession to Odinga’s family home in the capital’s upscale Karen suburb.
Crowds also gathered in the lakeside town of Kisumu and the Rift Valley town of Eldoret where Odinga was popular.
His legacy as a democracy activist over the years helped seal two of Kenya’s most important reforms: multiparty democracy in 1991 and a new constitution in 2010.
Among Kenyans, opinions were divided over his legacy.
“May his fight for democracy continue to inspire our nation’s leaders,” said Nairobi resident Grace Mbugua.
“He may not have had the best interests of all Kenyans at all times, and during his push for democracy, many lives were lost,” added accountant Patrick Mungai.
(Juba Witness with FRANCE 24, Reuters and AFP)