Thousands gather in Kisumu, Karen to mourn former Prime Minister Raila Odinga
Odinga, aged 80, suffered a cardiac arrest during a morning walk on Wednesday in India. Reports indicate he collapsed at Sreedhareeyam Ayurvedic Eye Hospital and Research Centre before being transferred to a private facility in Koothattukulam, Kerala.
Thousands have taken to the streets in Kisumu and Nairobi to mourn former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who died earlier today in India due to cardiac failure.
Videos and photos from the two cities, including Odinga's Opoda Farm in Bondo, Siaya County, captured the deep sorrow as men and women wailed, their grief etched on their faces.
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Many mourners in huge processions chanted “Jowi! Jowi! Jowi!” amid sharp whistles and the loud, haunting sounds of vuvuzelas.
"We are devastated. We expected him, Odinga, to jet in from India later today," a mourner told Citizen TV.
Another added, "I came to Karen and found a surging crowd and outpouring emotion. I inquired what was wrong and was told 'Baba' was no more. I had to come. Sad day."
Earlier, President William Ruto convened an urgent National Security Council meeting at 10:00 am. Emmanuel Talam, Press Secretary at the Presidential Communication Service, confirmed the President will chair a special Cabinet session at 2:30 pm to address the situation.
Meanwhile, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula suspended the morning sitting and announced the House would reconvene at 2:30 pm for important updates.
“I will invoke my authority under standing order number one and direct the sitting of this house to be adjourned. We will reconvene at 2:30 pm this afternoon when the Speaker will give an important communication,” Wetangula said.
Odinga, aged 80, suffered a cardiac arrest during a morning walk on Wednesday in India. He collapsed at the Sreedhareeyam Ayurvedic Eye Hospital and Research Centre before being transferred to a private hospital in Koothattukulam, Kerala, where he was pronounced dead at 9:53 am Indian time (7:23 am Kenyan time).
At the time, he was accompanied by his daughter, relatives, and personal physician.
The hospital confirmed his body remains onsite while the Ministry of External Affairs and the Kenyan Embassy in New Delhi coordinate next steps. Odinga had a connection to the hospital from the treatment his daughter, Rosemary, received in 2017 for optic nerve damage.
Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga, Odinga’s elder brother, previously confirmed he travelled to India on October 10 for routine medical care. Oburu clarified Odinga had only a minor illness and was recuperating at the time.
“There have been many rumours that our party leader, Raila Odinga, was very sick or dying. But he was out and about, like any other person indisposed for a while, and was now recuperating and resting. He was not in the conditions alleged,” Oburu said.
Official confirmation of Raila’s death and further details on funeral arrangements are expected later today.
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