We begin with tragic scenes from Nairobi, Kenya, where a state funeral for the country’s former Prime Minister Raila Odinga turned chaotic, leaving at least 18 people injured in a stampede. Odinga, the democratic reformer who passed away earlier this week in India at the age of 80, was being honored for a lifetime of political activism and service.

Thousands of Kenyans had gathered at a stadium in the capital to pay their respects to Odinga, whose influence on the country’s political landscape spanned decades. The tragic stampede occurred as mourners viewed his casket following the Anglican Church service. The Kenyan Red Cross confirmed that many of those caught in the rush required urgent medical attention, with 18 reported injured at the main referral hospital.

Odinga’s casket was draped in the national flag as mourners chanted his name and held symbols of peace and unity, including twigs, a traditional Kenyan gesture of respect. Security was tight, following a chaotic public viewing on Thursday that resulted in three deaths and at least ten injuries after police fired live rounds and tear gas to control the crowd.

Raila Odinga, a five-time presidential candidate, never held the presidency, yet he remains a towering figure in Kenya’s journey toward multiparty democracy. His body lay in state at Parliament Friday morning, an honor normally reserved for presidents and former presidents. President William Ruto praised Odinga’s decades of public service, calling him ‘pivotal’ in shaping some of Kenya’s most consequential laws.

During the service, President Ruto led mourners in singing Odinga’s favorite, ‘Jamaica Farewell,’ and reflected on the former leader’s steady hand during times of national crisis. Anglican Bishop David Kodia, who officiated the ceremony, urged leaders to emulate Odinga’s selflessness and to reject corruption.

Odinga’s family paid tribute to the statesman. His wife, Ida Odinga, called on Kenyans to mourn peacefully, while daughters Winnie and Rosemary led chants in the Luo language. His son, Raila Odinga Junior, vowed to continue his father’s legacy, wearing his father’s beaded hat and carrying his fly whisk.

Kenyans will have one final chance to view Odinga’s body on Saturday in Kisumu, near his rural home in Bondo, before he is laid to rest on Sunday. The family says Odinga requested a prompt burial, ideally within 72 hours, a rare request for a leader of his stature.

Raila Odinga’s life was marked by relentless activism and dedication to democratic principles, earning him admiration across Kenya and beyond. While the stampede marred what should have been a solemn farewell, the outpouring of respect from ordinary citizens shows the deep impact of his work on the nation’s political history.

Reporting  by Ehud Jones.