Nairobi’s Central Business District was very quiet compared to other days on Friday, the nation observed a public holiday to honor the late former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga who died at the age of 80.
It was a day that saw shops, offices, and banks close; apart from a few businesses that remained open, Kenyans went to different places to mourn the veteran opposition leader and statesman.
The city that is always full of people and vehicles was experiencing light traffic, subdued activity, and a somber calm as citizens chose different ways to pay their respects. Unsurprisingly, mourners at the Nyayo National Stadium, where the State Funeral Service was held, continued arriving even after the event had started determining to say their last goodbye to the one giving the nickname Baba.
Mourners who could not get the opportunity to enter the jam-packed venue took part in jamming and moments of silence, and talking of Raila most of them said he was a hero of democracy and a defender of the common Mwananchi.
Many that could not made it to stadium called for peace and unity during the mourning period in different areas of the city. They advised the citizens to emulate Raila Odinga’s lifelong message of nationhood and unity which is one of the most important things to remember after his death.
The body of the former Prime Minister will be moved to his Karen residence before taking the long journey to Kisumu where it will meet people prepared for the final farewell.
Quite a few words were spoken through the silence as the sun set over the quiet Nairobi skyline, acknowledging the man who brought out the voice and vision that eventually created the nation’s destiny.
