At least two people have been killed in Nairobi after Kenyan police fired at crowds of mourners gathered to pay their respects to former Prime Minister Raila Odinga. The politician died from a heart attack in India on Wednesday and his body was flown back to Kenya on Thursday morning.
The viewing was scheduled to take place at a 60,000-capacity soccer stadium in Nairobi, ahead of the funeral over the weekend. However, tensions escalated when a crowd surged and attempted to breach a gate in the stadium, prompting police to fire both live bullets and teargas at the mourners. According to Kenya’s head of police operations, Adamson Bungei, the shooting resulted in the death of two people, although local media reports suggest the death toll may be higher, potentially reaching four.
The situation became chaotic when police intervention disrupted the gathering, causing a stampede as mourners fled towards the stadium gates. An unknown number of people were injured in the ensuing chaos. The public viewing eventually took place after calm was restored in the evening.
Friday has been declared a public holiday in Kenya, with a state funeral service scheduled to take place at a different football stadium in Nairobi. Another public viewing will be held on Saturday in the western county of Kisumu, close to Odinga’s rural home. The former Prime Minister will be given a state funeral on Sunday at his rural home of Bondo, in western Kenya.
Raila Odinga’s death has sparked an outpouring of grief across Kenya, with thousands of mourners gathering to pay their respects to the former leader. As the country prepares for the state funeral, concerns about public safety and security remain. The Kenyan government has announced plans to provide a dignified farewell to the former Prime Minister, with various events and ceremonies scheduled to take place over the coming days. The international community is also watching the developments in Kenya, as the country navigates this period of mourning and reflection.
