Nairobi: Thousands of mourners gathered at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi as the body of Kenya’s veteran opposition leader, Raila Odinga, returned from India, where he had been receiving medical treatment. Odinga passed away at the age of 80.

The large crowd briefly overwhelmed security at the airport, with some individuals attempting to push through nearby roads and access Parliament grounds. Despite the disruption, President William Ruto and other senior officials were present to receive Odinga’s body with full military honors.

Odinga, a towering figure in Kenyan politics who ran for president five times without success, was also a former political prisoner and a symbol of resistance for many Kenyans. His death has prompted an outpouring of grief and tributes across the nation.

The government has declared a period of national mourning and funeral arrangements are underway, with the nation preparing to honor the legacy of one of its most influential political leaders.