Huge crowds welcome body of former PM Odinga to Kenya

BBC:

Huge crowds of mourners have turned out to receive the body of Kenya’s former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, a day after he died in India, in a public outpouring of grief that forced a brief suspension of operations at the country’s main airport.

Thousands of mourners carrying twigs and palm branches breached security at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in the capital, Nairobi, immediately after the body arrived on Thursday morning.

The authorities said mourners had gained access to restricted areas, prompting a “precautionary closure”.

The airport later said operations had been restored following the shutdown, which lasted about two hours.

From the airport, thousands people moved in a procession to escort the vehicle carrying the body into central Nairobi.

Because of the unexpectedly large crowds, the public viewing ceremony for his body has been moved to Nairobi’s Moi International Sports Centre, rather than inside the parliament building.

The body has arrived at the stadium, where crowds are already inside, with more people outside.