There was a huge display of grief at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) this morning when the body of late Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga arrived in Nairobi an occurrence that brought segments of the capital to a standstill.
The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority closed JKIA temporarily after 10 a.m. due to a “security situation” after subjecting huge throngs of mourners to a soaking in parts of the airport that were to have been off-limits.
There were thousands who had turned up hoping for a last view of the man they had followed, loved, and wept over some since dawn.
Security personnel sprinted to attempt to gain control, but the sheer numbers of weeping masses overpowered them, and authorities were forced to close down operations for security concerns.
“It wasn’t a riot it was a nation grieving,” said one of the airport employees, who experienced events as they unfolded. “People pushed through barriers, waving flags, singing songs. It was emotional, but unorganized.”
The remains of the veteran opposition leader and ex-Prime Minister had landed in the nation on a military escort at around 9:30 a.m. It would be taken from the airport to Lee Funeral Home and then to Parliament for public viewing.
But crowds in Parliament were so huge that arrangements were altered. Parliament Road was closed solid by mourners condoling, so the authorities were forced to relocate the public viewing to the larger, more accessible Kasarani Stadium.
KCAA asked individuals to stay away from the airport grounds for now and had also made an apology for the inconvenience to commuters. “We understand that this is a challenging time for the country,” the agency stated in a release. “We appeal for calm and patience while we work to get back to normal operation.”
With the country coming to terms with its most recognizable political leader missing, vignettes across Nairobi bear witness to a raw, visceral grief. But amidst the chaos and logistical hassle, no question remains: Kenyans are rallying en masse not just to see their leader off, but to celebrate a legacy that framed their nation.
