How green branches became the signature symbol of a nation in mourning

As the nation, and especially Nairobi, plunged into a sudden state of mourning, grief-stricken Raila Odinga supporters brought along with them more than just a wail - they accessorised their sorrow with fresh twigs yanked off city trees.

Everywhere you looked, thousands of mourners waved green twigs as they marched their way down the highways and the city streets, leaving the air drenched in a hue of forest green.

Armed with whistles and deafening cries, mourners annexed every corner of the Nairobi CBD, turning the moment into reckless rowdiness, while blinding motorists with the twigs and forcefully affixing them onto random windscreens. 

Without even issuing an official decree, it appeared the State had extended carte blanche to Odinga's supporters, allowing them to do as they pleased and dictate the street atmosphere at will.

As the madness embedded itself across town, several motorists reported that they were being forced to salute and pay verbal homage to a portrait of Raila Odinga before they could be allowed to pass through certain sections of the highway.

A viral video trending online actually shows a motorist, in a red Mazda Axela, being lengthily obstructed from any further movement until he saluted 'Baba.'

After several tense moments, and with the crowd getting increasingly impatient, the motorist finally yields and the mourners clear the way, under a hail of cheers and loud salutations.

Along Thika Road, Mombasa Road and various other major city roads - and across Kisumu as well - videos showed motorists driving with the signature branches firmly attached to the windscreen wiper - a visual testament of Raila's ubiquitous presence in not just people's minds but objects too.

And for those unable to access the branch, hawkers sprouted from every corner, selling a single branch for as low as Ksh.100, if only to keep the mood going and the nation throbbing in unanimous uniformity.

In Kisumu on Saturday, all eyes will be on the Jomo Kenyatta Stadium as more branches adorn the sky, as thousands of lakeside mourners throng the stadium for the last, antics-filled spectacle.