Panic and chaos broke out in Nairobi on Thursday as Kenyan security forces opened fire on mourners gathered at Kasarani Stadium to pay their final respects to opposition leader Raila Odinga, whose body had just been repatriated from India. Witnesses told Zoyols Blog that the scene quickly turned violent when security personnel fired into the crowd to control a surge of supporters trying to get closer to the late leader’s coffin.
At least three people were visibly injured in the stampede, with one man seen lying motionless, blood pouring from his head. Tens of thousands had flooded the stadium and nearby streets, determined to catch a glimpse of the man affectionately known as “Baba” a figure many regarded as the father of modern Kenyan democracy.
Odinga, 80, passed away on Wednesday in a hospital in southern India. His death sent shockwaves through the nation, triggering widespread mourning. A five-time presidential candidate, he remained one of Kenya’s most influential statesmen, known for his relentless fight for democratic reforms despite years of imprisonment and political exile.
Earlier in the day, a massive crowd gathered at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to receive his coffin, forcing aviation authorities to temporarily suspend flights. Due to overwhelming crowds blocking access to parliament where Odinga’s body was initially scheduled to lie in state officials diverted the procession to Kasarani Stadium.
As emotions ran high, the situation spiraled when gunfire erupted. Videos shared online and obtained by Zoyols Blog showed officers using tear gas and batons on mourners attempting to flee the chaos. “Why would police use tear gas and ammunition on mourners?” presidential candidate Martha Karua questioned on X, expressing outrage at the government’s heavy-handed response.
President William Ruto later arrived at the stadium alongside members of Odinga’s family and senior officials to pay their respects privately. Calm was eventually restored, and mourners were later allowed to file past the coffin peacefully.
Ruto declared seven days of national mourning in Odinga’s honor, with a state funeral scheduled for Friday in Nairobi. His final burial will take place on Sunday in his ancestral hometown of Bondo, where thousands have already gathered to await his return.
Raila Odinga’s political journey was one marked by sacrifice and resilience. Born in 1945 to a future vice president, he endured years in prison under the autocratic regime of Daniel arap Moi, later rising to serve as Kenya’s prime minister from 2008 to 2013. Despite never capturing the presidency, his influence on Kenya’s political landscape remains unmatched.
As the nation prepares to bid him farewell, Odinga’s passing leaves a vacuum in the country’s opposition leadership one that may redefine Kenya’s political future ahead of the 2027 elections.
