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Kenya came to a standstill connected Thursday arsenic thousands thronged the streets and Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to invited location the assemblage of seasoned absorption person Raila Odinga, who died successful India connected Wednesday.
The unprecedented crowds forced authorities to suspend each flights temporarily and change memorial plans.
In a statement, the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) said formation operations were halted “to reconstruct bid and guarantee safety” arsenic mourners overwhelmed entree roads and airdrome facilities.
Odinga’s body, flown successful from confederate India wherever helium reportedly suffered a bosom onslaught portion visiting a wellness clinic, was initially taken to the Parliament Buildings successful Nairobi. But arsenic supporters surged and climbed the gates, information agents redirected the procession to Kasarani Stadium, wherever tens of thousands continued to gather.
On Wednesday, President William Ruto declared 7 days of nationalist mourning successful honour of the 80-year-old governmental icon, ordering flags to alert astatine half-mast nationwide.
“Kenya has mislaid 1 of its top sons, a patriot whose courage, conviction, and lifelong combat for ideology shaped our nation,” Ruto said successful a televised address. “We volition honour his bequest with dignity and unity.”
The authorities besides announced the instauration of designated “public grieving spaces” crossed Nairobi to accommodate the swelling crowds expected up of the authorities ceremonial connected Friday.
State tv showed scenes of mourning successful Bondo, Odinga’s ancestral location successful occidental Kenya, wherever preparations were underway for his burial connected Sunday. Across the region, mourners chanted liberation songs, waved greenish branches, a accepted awesome of bid and respect, and carried portraits of the precocious leader.
Odinga, who ran unsuccessfully for president 5 times, was a towering fig successful Kenyan authorities for much than 4 decades. A erstwhile premier curate and ideology campaigner, helium was wide revered for his relation successful advancing multiparty reforms and defending electoral rights.
As dusk fell, crowds continued to sing and creation extracurricular Kasarani, chanting his sanction and vowing to support his bequest alive.
“Raila fought for us. Today, we combat to honour him,” said 1 mourner, clutching a Kenyan emblem streaked with tears.
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