Overview
- Raila Odinga died on Oct. 15 in India at age 80 of a reported heart attack, was repatriated to Nairobi, and was buried on Oct. 19 in Bondo.
- A state funeral at Nyayo National Stadium drew huge crowds, with reports of fatalities and many injuries during mourning events, including conflicting accounts of a stampede versus security forces firing on crowds.
- President William Ruto declared seven days of national mourning and ordered flags at half-mast as global leaders and regional bodies issued tributes to Odinga’s democratic legacy.
- The Orange Democratic Movement named Odinga’s 82-year-old brother as interim leader, but no consensus successor has emerged and internal debates over strategy are intensifying.
- Analysts say Ruto loses a key negotiating partner in Parliament as rivals move to court Odinga’s support base, with tensions high but widespread unrest seen as unlikely in the near term.