Nyayo Stadium erupted with chants, whistles, and song on Friday morning as the body of the late former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga was marched into the arena in a solemn yet celebratory military procession.
The poignant ceremony, rich in symbolism and tradition, formed the centrepiece of the State Funeral attended by thousands of mourners, dignitaries, and world leaders.
The casket, following its arrival and draped in the Kenyan national flag, was carefully lowered from a military truck by a joint team of personnel from the Kenya Defence Forces and the Kenya Police Service.
The procession was a rare display of national unity, with members of the Kenya Army in their ceremonial red uniforms, the Kenya Air Force in striking blue attire, the Navy, and the police collaborating seamlessly.
As the casket was transferred onto a black wheeler, the disciplined formation of officers drew admiration from the crowd.
Religious leaders took their place at the front, while Air Force personnel led the push of the wheeler, ensuring each step of the march was in perfect unison.
Behind them, members of the Army, Navy, and Police marched in lockstep, their precision reflecting the dignity of the occasion.
The march began along the runway, cutting across the centre of the stadium, set to the solemn strains of the hymn Abide With Me, performed by a large choir.
The choir’s harmonies blended with the distant trumpets of the military band, creating an atmosphere of reverence and reflection.
Mourners, many of whom had arrived at the stadium before dawn, responded with emotion.
Loud chants, whistles, and the waving of flags and twigs filled the stands, capturing the raw grief and pride of a nation bidding farewell to one of its most influential leaders.
Midway through the stadium, the procession paused.
In that moment of stillness, the choir’s hymn faded and the military band struck up the opening notes of the national anthem.
The crowd rose as one, singing with solemn pride while officers stood at attention, saluting with their gun tips pointing skyward.
The march then resumed, culminating in the careful placement of Raila’s casket at the designated area in front of the VIP dais.
Once the casket was secured, the military personnel marched out in flawless formation. Trumpeters played as others saluted, marking the end of the formal military honours.
Several high-profile leaders, including President William Ruto, former President Uhuru Kenyatta, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, and foreign dignitaries, witnessed the historic ceremony.
The sight of the casket borne in such dignity was the moment that captured the essence of the day: a nation united in grief, yet determined to celebrate the life and legacy of Baba.
The march of Raila’s casket across Nyayo Stadium will remain etched in the memory of Kenyans as a final, powerful salute to a leader who dedicated his life to the pursuit of justice, equity, and national unity.
