Emotions ran high as thousands of Kenyans on Saturday evening lined up to view the body of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga ahead of his burial on Sunday, October 19.
The residents were allowed to view the body moments after it arrived at Odinga's home at Opoda Farm in Bondo, Siaya County, from Momboleo Showground in Kisumu.
Raila's body was flown by a helicopter, which touched down at his rural home at exactly 4:16 pm with his casket drapped in the Kenyan flag.
The public viewing of the body of the late Raila Odinga commenced at around 5 pm, with the former Prime Minister's immediate family allowed to view the body first.
Led by Raila's wife Ida Odinga and his brother Oburu Odinga, one by one, the Odinga's family slowly walked towards the body, including Odinga's son, Raila Junior, who momentarily stopped to perform traditional rites.
They were followed by political leaders, including Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, alongside her Saiaya Counterpart James Orengo, Interior and Treasury cabinet Secretaries Kipchumba Murkomen and John Mbadi.
Moments later, the crowd which had gathered inside the Opoda farm was allowed to view the body, but under heavy security, with individuals allowed to view the body only once.
Mourners Faint
During the process, emotions escalated after several mourners fainted after being overwhelmed by emotions upon viewing Raila lying lifeless inside the brown casket.
However, the paramedical team, which was on high alert, intervened, performing first aid on those who had collapsed, with some carried away in stretchers.
Raila's body is expected to spend the night at his Opoda farm ahead of his interment tomorrow. He will be laid to rest next to his father, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga.
Raila's brother, Oburu Odinga, had earlier, Thursday, opened up the mourning venue in Bondo in a traditional ceremony known as tero ywak pacho, meaning, bring the mourning home.
Raila passed away on Wednesday, October 15, after suffering a cardiac arrest during a morning walk in India. Initially, he was to be buried next to his mother, Mary Odinga, but the family later changed the burial plans.
