Thousands of Kenyans gathered at Nyayo Stadium for the Nairobi state funeral.

Thousands of mourners attend the state funeral for former Prime Minister Raila Odinga at the National Stadium in the Kenyan capital.

Many people are paying their last respects, holding national flags and portraits of the late leader and wearing T-shirts printed with his image.

Security is tight in and around the stadium, with police and military officers deployed to prevent a repeat of the unrest seen during Thursday’s body viewing event.

After Odinga’s body arrived from India, police fired gunshots and fired tear gas to quell the large crowd that came to escort Odinga’s body from a major airport in India, killing at least three people.

Among the regional leaders who attended the funeral at Nyayo National Stadium were the presidents of Somalia and Ethiopia.

As Odinga’s body entered the stadium in a ceremonial military procession, mourners chanted, whistled and sang.

They chanted the popular Swahili political slogan “Raila usilale, bado mapambano,” which translates to “Raila, don’t sleep. The struggle is not over.”

It is a symbolic call to the late leader to stay alert as his political struggle continues.

“Raila hated dishonesty. He hated greed. Greed that affected the fabric of our society,” Odinga’s widow Ida said in a speech.

Bishop David Kodia, who led the service, said Odinga had never used his political power and money to intimidate people.

Early on Friday morning, Odinga’s body was brought to Parliament, where it was viewed by MPs and selected dignitaries.

Kenyan political heavyweight Odinga died on Wednesday at the age of 80 while receiving treatment in India.

Mourners carried tree branches and palm leaves, symbols of mourning and sorrow for the Luo people, to which Odinga belongs.

On Saturday, his body will be taken to his political stronghold, Kisumu, a western Kenyan city on the shores of Lake Victoria.

The public will have a chance to view his body before he is buried on Sunday at his farm in the main island, about 60km west of Kisumu.

According to the family, it was Odinga’s wish to be laid to rest in the shortest possible time, ideally within 72 hours.

A seven-day period of mourning was declared.

He has been the most important figure in Kenyan politics and the country’s main opposition leader for many years, most recently three years ago in five failed presidential campaigns.

Odinga has repeatedly said he faked victory, citing vote rigging.