[PHOTOS] Tears, hearts heavy as Kenyans mourn Raila

From dawn on Friday, Nairobi was cloaked in mourning. Streets were quieter, flags flew at half-mast, and the air carried a weight that words could barely hold. 

At Nyayo National Stadium, thousands of Kenyans gathered to bid farewell to Raila Odinga, the former Prime Minister whose name had become synonymous with resistance, reform and resilience.

By early morning, mourners had filled the stadium’s terraces, waving flags and holding out Raila’s portraits.

Some wore shirts bearing Raila’s image, others carried handwritten placards with messages of love, loss and legacy. 

The crowd was diverse, with elders who remembered his early activism and youth who saw him as a symbol of hope.

The air was heavy with song, prayer and tears, as Kenya bid farewell to one of its most enduring political icons.

Security was tight, but emotions ran high.

Raila died on October 15 in India. He will be buried on October 19.

Kenyans converge for former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s State Funeral at Nyayo National Stadium on October 17, 2025/EZEKIEL AMING’A

Mourners holding a drawing of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga during his State Funeral at Nyayo National Stadium on October 17, 2025/EZEKIEL AMING’A

A woman waving a flag as Kenyans converge for former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s State Funeral at Nyayo National Stadium on October 17, 2025/EZEKIEL AMING’A

A man holding a banner as Kenyans converge for former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s State Funeral at Nyayo National Stadium on October 17, 2025/EZEKIEL AMING’A

Kenyans converge for former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s State Funeral at Nyayo National Stadium on October 17, 2025/EZEKIEL AMING’A

Kenyans converge for former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s State Funeral at Nyayo National Stadium on October 17, 2025/EZEKIEL AMING’A

A man holding a political chart Kenyans converge for former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s State Funeral at Nyayo National Stadium on October 17, 2025/EZEKIEL AMING’A

Security officers keeping guard as Kenyans converge for former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s State Funeral at Nyayo National Stadium on October 17, 2025/EZEKIEL AMING’A

Police officers keeping guard as Kenyans converge for former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s State Funeral at Nyayo National Stadium on October 17, 2025/EZEKIEL AMING’A