Kenyans Mourn Raila, Disrupt Traffic
A heavy atmosphere settled over Nairobi, Kisumu, Bondo, and Kibera following the passing of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga on Wednesday, October 15.
In Bondo, hundreds of Kenyans gathered at Raila’s home, marching with green leaves in hand, causing businesses and transport to come to a standstill.
Kisumu mirrored this sentiment; shop owners in the Kisumu CBD chose to close their doors out of respect for Raila. The streets were filled with wailing supporters, many of whom were boda boda riders on their motorcycles, creating a cacophony with their whistles.
Residents hailed Raila as their hero and urged the government to pause all state activities in his memory.
“We feel very sad, nervous, and shaken, because Raila is a leader who has fought for many lives and the rights of Kenyans. May his soul rest in peace,” one resident said.
“The mood is not good, and so we have closed our businesses to mourn our hero. No one has been forced to close their businesses, but they are sad because we have lost someone we really admired,” another resident said.
In Kibera, which Raila once represented during his tenure as Lang’ata MP, residents poured into the streets, wailing and chanting to mourn his death.
At Odinga’s Karen home, supporters flooded his home wailing and emphasising the importance of coming together to honour the former Prime Minister, who was widely celebrated for championing peace and national unity.
“Let the death of Raila lead to unity in the country because for years, Raila has always wanted to unite the country. Kenya should be renamed to Raila,” one supporter said.
The leader of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), who had been receiving treatment in India, tragically passed away after experiencing a cardiac arrest during a morning walk on Wednesday, October 15.
A spokesperson from the hospital reported that Raila was declared dead at approximately 9:52 am upon his arrival. Reports indicate that he was accompanied by his daughters and other family members when the cardiac arrest occurred.
Many of Raila’s supporters have stressed the need to unite in honoring the former Prime Minister, who was widely revered for his efforts in promoting peace and national unity.
“Let the death of Raila lead to unity in the country because for years, Raila has always wanted to unite the country. Kenya should be renamed to Raila,” one supporter said.
Neither the President nor ODM has confirmed the news. Avoiding confirming the news, the ODM Communications Director Philip Etale simply wrote, “I am deflated,” on his social media.
The President is expected to share more details on Odinga’s death after concluding the extraordinary meeting of the National Security Council, which kicked off moments ago.
Kenyans Mourn Raila, Disrupt Traffic
