🔗 Share this article

A quartet of persons were killed in Nairobi when armed personnel shot and employed chemical irritants to break up enormous assemblies at a venue where opposition leader Raila Odinga's body was on public view.

National Leader Remembered

The politician, who remained a prominent player in Kenyan politics for many years, died on Wednesday at age 80 while in hospital care in the subcontinent.

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

Disorder Breaks Out at Arena

Countless supporters congregated on thoroughfares from early morning, with mayhem erupting when enormous throng broke through a gate at Nairobi's main stadium, causing armed forces to fire in the air.

• Two people lost their lives to gunfire at the venue
• Death toll eventually reached to four people
• Scores of people sustained injuries
• Police employed irritants to scatter thousands mourners

Aviation Hub Disruption and Government Building Standoff

Previously that day, thousands of mourners momentarily entered the capital's aviation hub, interrupting a ceremony where the nation's leader and dignitaries were accepting Odinga's body with armed forces tribute.

This incident prompted a brief stoppage of aviation services.

Crowds also flooded adjacent streets and sought to penetrate the legislative building, where the authorities had first arranged the open visitation.

Political Legacy and Community Devotion

Although primarily recognized as an opposition figure, Odinga assumed the role of prime minister in 2008 and also established a alliance with Ruto last year in a public service marked by shifting alliances.

He commanded passionate devotion among adherents, notably in his ethnic group based in the nation's western region, many of whom contend he was deprived of the presidency by vote manipulation.

Many of Odinga's mourners, who were unborn in 1991 when Kenya became a multi-party democracy, offered homage to Odinga's contributions as an activist.