Kenya’s busiest airport came to a dramatic standstill on Thursday morning as thousands of mourners overran security barriers to witness the arrival of the body of former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga.
Operations at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) were suspended shortly after 9:30 a.m., when the Kenya Airways flight carrying Odinga’s remains from India landed amid chaotic scenes of grief and emotion.
The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) announced a temporary shutdown of the airport, citing a “security situation” as unprecedented crowds pushed their way past security and flooded restricted areas on the airside the section reserved strictly for aircraft movement and personnel.
Massive Crowds Breach Security
What was expected to be a solemn, state-managed reception quickly turned into a chaotic show of emotion as Raila’s supporters swarmed the tarmac moments after the aircraft, renamed Flight RAO001, touched down.
Mourners carrying twigs, flags, and portraits of the late leader could be seen chanting liberation songs and waving in the direction of the plane. Others climbed onto airport vehicles and aerobridges, cheering as the casket was removed.
Some supporters arrived on motorbikes, weaving through the taxiways an extraordinary breach of airport protocol in what is normally one of Africa’s most tightly secured aviation facilities.
Airline personnel, police officers, and Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) soldiers struggled to contain the surging crowd as the plane’s door opened and the casket draped in the Kenyan flag appeared.
Witnesses described the moment as both chaotic and emotional. Some mourners broke down in tears while others knelt on the tarmac, waving their hands toward the aircraft in prayer.
Defence Forces Appeal for Calm
Amid the confusion, Chief of Defence Forces General Charles Kahariri was seen appealing to the crowd to remain calm and allow the solemn reception to proceed with dignity.
“Please, let us honour Baba with peace,” he reportedly told the restless crowd as soldiers tried to form a human barrier around the casket.
Despite the efforts, hundreds continued to press forward, desperate to catch a glimpse of the man many regard as Kenya’s greatest opposition figure and defender of democracy.
The situation forced security teams to briefly delay the ceremonial transfer of the body to the waiting State hearse. The military guard of honour, scheduled to line up along the runway, was momentarily interrupted as the crowd spilled dangerously close to the aircraft.
Airport Operations Suspended
By 10:30 a.m., KCAA confirmed that all incoming and outgoing flights had been temporarily grounded. In a public notice released at 11:00 a.m., the authority said the suspension was necessary to “restore order and ensure safety for passengers and personnel.”
“Operations at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport have been temporarily suspended due to an ongoing security situation following the arrival of the remains of the late Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga,” the statement read.
The authority assured that normal operations would resume once the situation was contained and the facility declared secure.
Sources at the airport said several flights were diverted to Moi International Airport in Mombasa and Eldoret International Airport as the chaos unfolded.
Meanwhile, emergency teams were deployed across terminals to manage crowd flow, while airport fire and rescue units remained on standby.
Body Moved to New Venue
Following the disorder, government officials made last-minute adjustments to the day’s funeral itinerary. Odinga’s body, which had been scheduled to proceed directly to Parliament Buildings for public viewing at noon, was instead rerouted to Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.
Officials said the change was due to the “overwhelming turnout” and concerns over safety in the city centre. Thousands of mourners had already gathered along Uhuru Highway and Haile Selassie Avenue, awaiting the convoy.
At Kasarani, security was tightened as military and police officers established perimeters around the stadium. Large screens were erected to allow the public to witness the brief reception and pay their respects.
A Nation Overcome
Raila Odinga’s return from India has gripped Kenya with a mix of grief, disbelief, and pride. The 80-year-old political icon, who passed away on Wednesday, October 15, in the city of Kochi, was a central figure in Kenya’s democracy for more than four decades.
His passing has triggered a wave of national mourning unlike any in recent memory. Across the country, flags are flying at half-mast, churches are holding vigils, and music stations are dedicating their programming to his memory.
The chaos at JKIA reflects the intensity of public emotion a people determined to be part of their leader’s final homecoming, even at the cost of disrupting the nation’s main gateway.
As calm gradually returned to the airport, the government urged Kenyans to remain orderly and allow the State Funeral programme to continue smoothly in the coming days.
Raila’s body will lie in state in Nairobi before being flown to Kisumu on Saturday and later to his Bondo home in Siaya County, where he will be laid to rest on Sunday.
For many Kenyans, Thursday’s dramatic scenes at JKIA were not simply an act of disorder they were a spontaneous expression of love, loyalty, and heartbreak for a man whose name will forever be etched in the country’s history.
