Kenya's opposition leader Raila Odinga on Tuesday joined the people of Zimbabwe as they laid to rest Morgan Tsvangirai.
The late Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party leader and the former prime minister was a strong critic of former President Robert Mugabe and was seen as a revolutionary leader who would have liberated Zimbabwe.
A close ally of Odinga, Tsvangirai passed on last week Wednesday while undergoing treatment of colon cancer in South Africa.
During the burial ceremony in Buhera, few kilometers from Harare, Odinga described the late politician as an African hero.
"Morgan was a dear friend and I pray that the Almighty grants comfort to his family, his party MDC and the people of Zimbabwe at this trying moment. May his soul forever rest in peace. Fare thee well great hero of Africa," said the former prime minister who addressed thousands of mourners.
Odinga said his friend was "among a generation of African leaders who have stood up against democracy and authoritarianism" and "have paid the ultimate price but remained unbowed".
Odinga arrived in Harare with Kisumu Governor Professor Anyang' Nyong'o and Beryl Achieng on Monday evening and was welcomed by acting MDC President Nelson Chamisa.
Odinga and Morgan first met in 1993 when Odinga led an International Republican Institute team to train political parties and civil society in Zimbabwe for the multi-party elections that were approaching them.
At that time, Tsvangirai was with Zimbabwe Human Rights Forum - a civil society organization s an organization founded in 1992 to ensure that the Zimbabwean citizens are informed about human rights and are empowered to defend their own rights.