🔗 Share this article

Four people lost their lives in Nairobi when law enforcement opened fire and deployed teargas to scatter massive crowds at a sports arena where political figure Raila Odinga's corpse was lying in state.

Political Figure Honored

Odinga, who remained a major force in the nation's political landscape for many years, passed away on that day at age 80 while in hospital care in the Asian nation.

He campaigned vigorously for democratic systems, and we are enjoying those rights today because of his efforts.

Disorder Erupts at Stadium

Numerous devotees congregated on the streets from early morning, with mayhem breaking out when massive group forced open a gate at the capital's primary venue, prompting soldiers to discharge weapons upward.

• Two individuals lost their lives to gunfire at the stadium
• Death toll later rose to 4
• Numerous persons sustained injuries
• Police deployed chemical agents to scatter numerous mourners

Airport Disruption and Parliament Situation

Previously that day, numerous of supporters temporarily invaded Nairobi's international airport, interrupting a ceremony where the head of state and government representatives were welcoming Odinga's body with military honors.

This event led to a two-hour suspension of aviation services.

Assemblies also flooded adjacent streets and sought to penetrate parliament, where the government had first arranged the community homage.

Political Legacy and Ethnic Devotion

While predominantly identified as an opposition figure, Odinga assumed the role of senior minister in 2008 and also struck a agreement with the president last year in a career characterized by evolving coalitions.

He commanded intense commitment among followers, particularly in his Luo community based in western Kenya, many of whom contend he was denied the presidency by vote manipulation.

Many of Odinga's mourners, who were unborn in 1991 when Kenya established itself as a multi-party democracy, paid tribute to Odinga's work as an campaigner.