Kenya Mourns Raila Odinga as Body Arrives from India

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The body of Kenya’s revered opposition leader, Raila Odinga, arrived in Nairobi on Thursday from India, where he died of a suspected heart attack.

According to AFP, a large crowd gathered at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to receive the coffin of the veteran politician, whose death has plunged the nation into mourning.

Odinga, who passed away on Wednesday while visiting a health clinic in southern India, was a towering figure in Kenyan politics, having contested the presidency five times and championed democratic reforms for decades.

President William Ruto has declared seven days of national mourning in honour of Odinga, describing him as a “patriot and statesman who shaped Kenya’s democratic journey.”

Following its arrival, Odinga’s body was expected to be taken to parliament, where Kenyans would pay their final respects. Public mourning centres have also been established across Nairobi.

A state funeral service is scheduled for Friday, after which the body will be transported to western Kenya, Odinga’s birthplace and political stronghold, for burial on Sunday.