Tragedy Hits as 4 Die During Memorial for Kenyan Political Figure Raila Odinga
Four people were killed in Kenya's capital when law enforcement discharged weapons and employed chemical irritants to break up massive crowds at a venue where statesman Raila Odinga's corpse was lying in state.
Political Figure Mourned
The politician, who was a major force in the nation's political landscape for decades, passed away on Wednesday at 80 years old while receiving medical treatment in India.
He campaigned vigorously for democratic systems, and we experience those rights today because of his efforts.
Chaos Breaks Out at Venue
Numerous devotees assembled on the streets from sunrise, with disorder breaking out when enormous throng forced open a entrance at Nairobi's main stadium, prompting military personnel to discharge weapons upward.
- Two people were shot dead at the location
- Fatalities eventually reached to four people
- Many people were hurt
- Police used teargas to clear numerous attendees
Airport Event and Government Building Situation
Earlier in the day, countless of supporters briefly stormed Nairobi's international airport, interrupting a ceremony where the head of state and other officials were accepting Odinga's corpse with military honors.
This event prompted a temporary halt of airport operations.
Groups also flooded adjacent streets and tried to enter parliament, where the government had originally scheduled the public viewing.
Political Legacy and Community Backing
Though mainly known as an government critic, Odinga became senior minister in 2008 and also established a political pact with the president last year in a public service marked by shifting alliances.
He commanded intense commitment among adherents, particularly in his ethnic group based in western Kenya, many of whom maintain he was prevented from obtaining the nation's leadership by vote manipulation.
Numerous of Odinga's followers, who were not living in 1991 when Kenya became a multi-faction governance, offered homage to Odinga's work as an campaigner.