🔗 Share this article

Four people lost their lives in the capital city when security forces opened fire and used teargas to scatter enormous assemblies at a venue where opposition leader Raila Odinga's body was lying in state.

National Figure Honored

The politician, who had been a significant presence in Kenyan politics for many years, succumbed on that day at 80 years old while in hospital care in the subcontinent.

He campaigned vigorously for multi-party democracy, and we are enjoying those liberties today because of his efforts.

Chaos Unfolds at Arena

Thousands followers assembled on the streets from early morning, with disorder breaking out when massive group breached a barrier at the capital's primary venue, causing military personnel to fire in the air.

• Two people were shot dead at the venue
• Fatalities eventually reached to four people
• Numerous individuals sustained injuries
• Authorities used teargas to scatter countless grievers

Airport Incident and Parliament Situation

During the morning, countless of mourners momentarily entered the capital's aviation hub, halting a formal proceeding where President William Ruto and dignitaries were receiving Odinga's corpse with formal recognition.

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

Crowds also flooded nearby roads and tried to enter the legislative building, where the administration had first arranged the open visitation.

National Impact and Ethnic Devotion

While predominantly identified as an political challenger, Odinga became head of government in 2008 and also struck a alliance with the leader last year in a political journey marked by changing partnerships.

He commanded intense commitment among supporters, especially in his Luo community based in the country's west, many of whom maintain he was denied the presidency by electoral fraud.

Countless of Odinga's mourners, who were not yet born in 1991 when Kenya became a multi-party democracy, offered homage to Odinga's work as an activist.