The death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, a towering figure in Kenya’s political landscape, led to an outpouring of grief, transforming the country into a sea of mourning. Odinga, affectionately known as “Baba,” passed away in India on October 15th, 2025, and his return to Kenya for burial sparked an unprecedented display of public emotion, with vast crowds lining the streets of Nairobi to pay their respects.
The scale of grief was so immense that initial plans for a public viewing at Parliament buildings were quickly abandoned. The authorities diverted the procession to Kasarani Stadium in an attempt to contain the throngs of mourners, who filled the streets in their millions. However, the mass turnout led to tragic events, with multiple stampedes reported over the course of the week, leaving several people dead and hundreds injured. Despite the chaos, the funeral procession became a symbol of Odinga’s profound impact on Kenyan politics and society.
This level of public adulation places Odinga’s funeral among a series of chaotic and poignant farewells to global political icons. The funeral of Iran’s Ayatollah Khomeini in 1989 is a notable comparison, where millions flooded Tehran, leading to pandemonium, the loss of the coffin, and thousands treated for injuries. Similarly, in 2004, Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat’s final journey saw tens of thousands of mourners overwhelming security at his burial in Ramallah, causing a brief loss of control and forcing Palestinian officials to cut the ceremony short.
Another tragic instance of a chaotic funeral procession occurred in 2020 when General Qasem Soleimani of Iran was buried in Kerman. The stampede during the event claimed over 50 lives, further highlighting the intense emotions that can accompany the final journeys of powerful leaders.
Odinga’s funeral, marked by stampedes and emotional outpourings, serves as a reminder of how deeply the figures we revere influence not just political systems but the national consciousness. His passing has left Kenya grappling with not only the loss of a leader but also the challenge of managing grief on a scale few could have anticipated. Like those who came before him, Odinga’s final journey stands as a testament to the overwhelming and sometimes uncontrollable nature of collective grief and admiration.
