Tragic Clashes Erupt at Odinga Viewing: Police Fire on Mourners, Leaving At Least Two Dead

NAIROBI, KENYA – Emotional scenes turned tragic on Thursday as Kenyan police opened fire on a surging crowd of mourners gathered for the public viewing of the body of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga in Nairobi. Officials have confirmed that at least two people were killed in the confrontation, with local media reports suggesting the death toll could be as high as four, and dozens more injured.

The violence erupted at the 60,000-capacity Moi International Sports Centre stadium, where the body of the revered opposition figure was taken ahead of his state funeral.

Chaos at the Stadium

The chaos began shortly after Odinga’s body arrived in Nairobi from India, where the 80-year-old political titan passed away on Wednesday. Thousands of his devoted supporters, affectionately known as "Baba," had escorted the procession, some walking for miles from the airport to the stadium.

Tensions reached a breaking point inside the stadium when a massive crowd attempted to breach a pavilion where the casket was laid. According to reports, security forces responded by firing live bullets and tear gas into the crowd.

The head of police operations in the country, Adamson Bungei, confirmed the shooting, describing the event as a "confrontation" that resulted in at least two fatalities. The rapid discharge of weapons and tear gas triggered panic, causing a stampede as mourners fled towards the exits. The ensuing chaos left an unconfirmed number of people injured.

President William Ruto, members of the Odinga family, and other dignitaries who were present at the stadium were reportedly locked inside a room for safety until order was restored.

A Day of Turmoil

The fatal incident was the culmination of a day marked by intense emotion and security challenges. Earlier on Thursday, thousands of mourners had overwhelmed the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, demanding to view the body upon its arrival. The disruption forced a temporary two-hour suspension of airport operations.

The veteran politician, a towering figure in Kenya's struggle for democracy, had run for the presidency five times. His death has plunged the nation into a declared seven-day period of national mourning.

Despite the violence, the public viewing eventually proceeded outside the stadium gates hours later, as the country prepares for a state funeral service on Friday and a burial at Odinga's rural home in Bondo on Sunday.

The tragic events have cast a shadow over the mourning period, re-igniting concerns over the police's use of excessive force in crowd control, a recurring issue that has marred past political protests and gatherings in the country.