Operations have been suspended at Kenya’s main airport after thousands of mourners turned out to receive the body of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, a day after he died in India.
Large crowds of mourners carrying twigs and palm branches breached security at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) immediately after the body of the former leader arrived on Thursday morning.
Authorities said mourners gained access to restricted areas, prompting a “precautionary closure” to allow security teams to restore order and ensure safety.
“Members of the public and travellers are advised to remain calm and avoid the airport area until further notice,” the aviation agency said.
Because of the unexpectedly huge crowds, the public viewing ceremony for his body has been moved to Nairobi’s Moi International Sports Centre, rather than inside Parliament.
The 80-year-old former prime minister collapsed during a morning walk in India on Wednesday morning and he was taken to Devamatha Hospital, about 50km (30 miles) east of the port city of Kochi.
The hospital said he had suffered a cardiac arrest, did not respond to resuscitation measures and was “declared dead at 09:52” local time (04:22 GMT).
Kenyan politicians and world leaders have been sending their condolences, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who described Odinga as a “towering statesman and a cherished friend of India”.
Kenya’s President William Ruto said the veteran politician was a “beacon of courage” and “father of our democracy”.
A seven-day period of mourning has been declared. Odinga will also be accorded a state funeral with full military honours, Ruto said.
Odinga spent many years as an opposition leader, losing five presidential campaigns, most recently three years ago.