NAIROBI, Kenya (BN24) — Four people were killed in Kenya’s capital Thursday after security forces fired shots and teargas to disperse huge crowds at a stadium where the body of opposition leader Raila Odinga was lying in state, sparking chaotic scenes that also forced a temporary shutdown of Nairobi’s international airport.
Odinga, a major figure in Kenyan politics for decades who was once a political prisoner and ran unsuccessfully for president five times, died Wednesday aged eighty in India, where he had been receiving medical treatment.
Chaos erupted when a huge crowd breached a gate at Nairobi’s main stadium, prompting soldiers to fire in the air, a Reuters witness said. A police source told Reuters that two people were shot dead at the stadium. KTN News and Citizen TV later said the death toll had increased to four, with scores injured.
After security forces fired shots, police used teargas to disperse thousands of mourners, the two broadcasters reported, leaving the stadium deserted. Local news footage showed tear gas canisters being hurled into the crowds, leading to scenes of chaos as thousands fled the stadium.
Earlier Thursday, thousands of mourners briefly stormed Nairobi’s international airport, interrupting a ceremony for President William Ruto and other officials to receive Odinga’s body with military honors. The incident prompted a two-hour suspension of airport operations.
Crowds also flooded nearby roads and tried to breach parliament, where the government had originally scheduled the public viewing.
Odinga’s body arrived in Nairobi early Thursday morning, where tens of thousands of supporters had gathered in anticipation of viewing it at the Nyayo National Stadium. The procession turned violent when crowds overwhelmed the stadium’s gates, breaching security perimeters and pushing past barriers meant to manage the large numbers of mourners.
A police source, speaking to Reuters under condition of anonymity, confirmed that at least two people were killed when security forces opened fire in an effort to regain control of the situation. The situation escalated further when soldiers fired warning shots into the air, prompting crowds to scatter.
Though mainly known as an opposition figure, Odinga became prime minister in 2008 and also struck a political pact with Ruto last year in a career marked by shifting alliances. He commanded passionate devotion among supporters, especially in his Luo community based in western Kenya, many of whom believe he was denied the presidency by electoral fraud.
Many of Odinga’s mourners, who were not yet born in 1991 when Kenya became a multi-party democracy, paid tribute to Odinga’s efforts as an activist.
Felix Ambani Uneck, a university student, said at the stadium: “He fought tirelessly for multi-party democracy, and we are enjoying those freedoms today because of his struggle.”
As a central figure in Kenya’s political landscape for decades, Odinga had earned a deep and loyal following for his outspoken advocacy on issues such as democratic reforms and social justice. His political legacy includes a history of imprisonment during Kenya’s more authoritarian periods and five unsuccessful bids for the presidency.
The government has yet to issue an official statement on the deaths. The events underscore deep political divisions in Kenya, with many supporters frustrated by what they perceived as inadequate handling of the mourning process.
Many of Odinga’s supporters have expressed anger at what they view as the government’s mishandling of the public funeral and mourning process. Critics have pointed to heavy-handed tactics in dealing with a grieving public, particularly the use of force in controlling crowds.
For many supporters, Odinga’s death represents the loss of a leader who embodied their aspirations for a more equitable and just Kenya. His political journey, marked by years of imprisonment under previous regimes and later battles for democratic reforms, made him an icon for many, especially among marginalized communities.
The shooting deaths and subsequent chaos at the stadium have sparked calls for greater accountability and transparency from the government. As the country remains on edge, it remains unclear how the government will address growing public discontent surrounding the handling of Odinga’s death and the mourning process.
The violence raises broader concerns about the state of political and civil unrest in Kenya, a nation that has long grappled with political polarization. In recent years, tensions have been exacerbated by allegations of electoral malpractice and the continued marginalization of opposition groups.
How the government responds to these events in the coming days will be crucial in determining whether the situation will escalate further or whether a peaceful resolution can be found.
Kenya has experienced periodic episodes of political violence, particularly surrounding elections and the deaths of prominent political figures. The country’s 2007-2008 post-election violence left more than one thousand people dead and hundreds of thousands displaced, leading to the power-sharing agreement that made Odinga prime minister.
The massive turnout for Odinga’s viewing demonstrates his enduring influence on Kenyan politics and the deep emotional connection many citizens felt to his decades-long struggle for democratic reforms. His supporters see him as a champion of the marginalized who never stopped fighting for political and economic justice despite repeated setbacks.
