A wave of grief swept through the airport on Thursday as a section of Kenyans wailed, cried, and carried twigs in mourning upon the arrival of Raila Odinga’s body.
The crowd, overcome with emotion, became uncontrollable as the plane carrying the former Prime Minister’s remains taxied to a stop.
Kenyans breach VIP gate moments after the plane carrying former Prime Minister Raila Odinga touched down at JKIA.
Many ran toward the runway while others fell to their knees, weeping openly as members of the official delegation began to disembark.
“Jowi! Jowi!” they shouted — the traditional cry of mourning — their voices echoing across the tarmac.
Security officers struggled to hold the crowd back, forming a human barricade to prevent mourners from getting too close to the aircraft.
Some mourners attempted to sprint toward the plane, desperate for one final connection to the man they called Baba, before being gently restrained by security personnel.
As the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) officials worked to restore calm, the tension only deepened when the casket—draped in the Kenyan flag was brought out of the aircraft.
“Please, allow us to remove the casket!” one official was heard pleading over the noise, urging the crowd to give space. But the air was thick with grief, and the cries only grew louder.
“Mayie Baba!” many wailed, wiping tears as they watched the flag-covered casket being lowered carefully onto the ground — a moment that marked the homecoming of a man whose life and politics had defined generations.
Draped in the Kenyan flag, the casket was received by President William Ruto and Mama Ida Odinga, as the nation welcomed home the remains of the man widely regarded as the father of devolution and a pillar of democratic struggle.
The body was received with military honours before being placed on the gun carriage for transport to Lee Funeral Home under tight security.
A military gun carriage already arrived at the airport, accompanied by members of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) military band.
The military band, fully dressed in ceremonial uniform, stood in formation beside the runway, rehearsing slow, solemn tunes to accompany the official reception.
