Celebrating Life

In pictures: Huge procession after Raila's body arrives in Nairobi

Plans swiftly changed on Thursday after mourners stormed Parliament.

Supporters and mourners of Raila Odinga are seeN during a procession of his coffin from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi on October 16, 2025. (AFP)

By: Admin ., Journalist @New Vision

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RAILA ODINGA: 1945 - 2025
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The body of revered Kenyan former prime minister Raila Odinga arrived in Nairobi on Thursday (October 16) from India where he died of a suspected heart attack. A large crowd gathered at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to welcome the revered late veteran politician.

Odinga died aged 80 on Wednesday while visiting a health clinic in southern India. President William Ruto announced seven days of national mourning for Odinga, who ran unsuccessfully for the presidency five times but played a major role in Kenyan politics over several decades and was a figurehead for large swathes of the population.

According to the funeral programme, Odinga's body will then be moved to western Kenya where he was born and enjoyed great support. A burial service will take place on Sunday.

Plans swiftly changed on Thursday after mourners stormed Parliament, where the body had initially been expected to lie in state for public viewing. After officials failed to calm the large defiant crowd, some of whom climbed the Parliament gates chanting and flashing branches, an announcement was made that the public viewing venue had to be changed to Kasarani Stadium in the Kenyan capital.

"Parliament is too small for Baba," one official said, referring to Odinga as he was affectionately called.

Here are the scenes of the procession from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport: