🔗 Share this article

A quartet of persons lost their lives in the capital city when law enforcement opened fire and employed chemical irritants to disperse enormous assemblies at a sports arena where statesman Raila Odinga's remains was on public view.

National Figure Mourned

The statesman, who was a significant presence in Kenyan politics for many years, passed away on that day at 80 years old while in hospital care in India.

He fought tirelessly for political pluralism, and we experience those rights today because of his struggle.

Disorder Unfolds at Arena

Thousands devotees assembled on the streets from dawn, with chaos erupting when massive group broke through a gate at the city's central arena, prompting soldiers to shoot skyward.

• Two people were shot dead at the location
• Casualties subsequently increased to 4
• Many individuals sustained injuries
• Police used teargas to disperse thousands grievers

Airport Event and Government Building Confrontation

Earlier in the day, numerous of supporters briefly stormed the capital's aviation hub, halting a formal proceeding where the nation's leader and dignitaries were accepting Odinga's body with formal recognition.

This incident caused a brief stoppage of aviation services.

Groups also occupied surrounding thoroughfares and attempted to breach parliament, where the administration had originally scheduled the community homage.

Political Impact and Ethnic Devotion

While predominantly identified as an government critic, Odinga assumed the role of senior minister in 2008 and also struck a political pact with the president last year in a public service marked by changing partnerships.

He commanded passionate devotion among followers, particularly in his Luo community based in the nation's western region, many of whom believe he was denied the presidency by electoral fraud.

Many of Odinga's mourners, who were unborn in 1991 when Kenya established itself as a multi-faction governance, offered homage to Odinga's efforts as an advocate.