Tragedy Hits as Four Lose Lives During Mourning for Kenya's Political Figure Raila Odinga
A quartet of persons perished in Kenya's capital when security forces discharged weapons and deployed teargas to scatter massive crowds at a sports arena where opposition leader Raila Odinga's corpse was on public view.
National Leader Honored
Odinga, who remained a prominent player in the country's governance for many years, died on that day at age 80 while in hospital care in India.
He fought tirelessly for political pluralism, and we experience those rights today because of his efforts.
Chaos Unfolds at Arena
Thousands devotees gathered on the streets from dawn, with mayhem erupting when enormous throng forced open a barrier at the city's central arena, leading to soldiers to fire in the air.
- A pair of persons were shot dead at the location
- Fatalities eventually reached to 4
- Many persons were hurt
- Police deployed chemical agents to scatter thousands attendees
Airport Incident and Government Building Standoff
Earlier in the day, countless of grievers temporarily invaded the capital's aviation hub, interrupting a ceremony where the nation's leader and dignitaries were welcoming Odinga's remains with formal recognition.
This event caused a temporary halt of flight activities.
Assemblies also flooded adjacent streets and sought to penetrate parliament, where the administration had initially planned the public viewing.
Political Legacy and Ethnic Support
Though mainly known as an opposition figure, Odinga assumed the role of prime minister in 2008 and also struck a political pact with Ruto last year in a public service defined by shifting alliances.
He commanded intense commitment among supporters, particularly in his ethnic group based in the country's west, many of whom believe he was denied the nation's leadership by vote manipulation.
Many of Odinga's supporters, who were not living in 1991 when Kenya became a multi-party democracy, paid tribute to Odinga's efforts as an activist.
