Source: BBC

Huge crowds of mourners have turned out to receive the body of Kenya’s former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, a day after he died in India, in a public outpouring of grief that forced a brief suspension of operations at the country’s main airport.

Thousands of mourners carrying twigs and palm branches breached security at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in the capital, Nairobi, immediately after the body arrived on Thursday morning. 

The authorities said mourners had gained access to restricted areas, prompting a “precautionary closure”.

The airport later said operations had been restored following the shutdown, which lasted about two hours.

From the airport, thousands people moved in a procession to escort the vehicle carrying the body into central Nairobi.

Because of the unexpectedly large crowds, the public viewing ceremony for his body has been moved to Nairobi’s Moi International Sports Centre, rather than inside the parliament building. 

The body has arrived at the stadium, where crowds are already inside, with more people outside.

Huge crowds had earlier gathered at Lee Funeral Home where the body was first expected, and around parliament. 

“I came here at six in the morning. We have been at the airport to welcome Baba [Odinga’s nickname],” one mourner had told the BBC near the airport.

“We are sad, we have been left as orphans. He is our father.”

Motorcycle rider William Otieno Adoyo said he was a “Baba die-hard”.

“We want to see Baba, how do we know it’s him in the casket? Let them show us and we’ll be contented,” he told the BBC.

The state funeral will be held at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi on Friday and on Saturday his body will be transported to Kisumu, a city in western Kenya on the shores of Lake Victoria – his political stronghold.

Members of the public will get a chance to view the body before he is buried on Sunday at his farm in Bondo, about 60km west of Kisumu.

According to the family, it was Odinga’s wish to be laid to rest within the shortest time possible, ideally within 72 hours.

The 80-year-old former prime minister collapsed during a morning walk in India on Wednesday morning and he was taken to Devamatha Hospital, about 50km (30 miles) east of the port city of Kochi.

A seven-day period of mourning has been declared. Odinga would also be accorded a state funeral with full military honours, Ruto said.

He was towering figure in Kenyan politics and for many years was the country’s main opposition leader, losing five presidential campaigns, most recently three years ago.