Kenya Declares Seven Days Mourning for Late Opposition Leader Raila Odinga

Kenyan President William Ruto has declared seven days of national mourning and a state funeral in honour of opposition leader Raila Odinga, who passed away on Wednesday at the age of 80. 

In a national address, President Ruto hailed Odinga as 

“Kenya’s foremost statesman and one of Africa’s greatest sons,” describing him as “a giant of democracy, a fearless freedom fighter and a tireless warrior of good governance.”

Ruto said flags across the country will fly at half-mast during the mourning period, as Kenyans and the global community pay tribute to Odinga’s decades-long contribution to democracy and national unity.

 Ruto said he would postpone all his public engagements in the coming days “as a mark of respect”.