🔗 Share this article

Four people perished in Kenya's capital when armed personnel opened fire and used teargas to disperse massive crowds at a sports arena where political figure Raila Odinga's remains was on public view.

National Figure Remembered

Odinga, who was a significant presence in Kenyan politics for decades, passed away on Wednesday at 80 years old while undergoing healthcare in the Asian nation.

He fought tirelessly for multi-party democracy, and we experience those freedoms today because of his work.

Disorder Erupts at Arena

Countless followers gathered on roadways from dawn, with mayhem occurring when enormous throng forced open a entrance at the capital's primary venue, causing soldiers to discharge weapons upward.

• Two people were shot dead at the stadium
• Fatalities subsequently increased to four people
• Numerous persons got wounded
• Law enforcement employed irritants to scatter numerous grievers

Aviation Hub Incident and Government Building Situation

During the morning, thousands of supporters momentarily entered Nairobi's international airport, halting a official event where President William Ruto and dignitaries were receiving Odinga's remains with military honors.

This situation led to a brief stoppage of airport operations.

Groups also occupied adjacent streets and tried to enter parliament, where the authorities had initially planned the open visitation.

National Legacy and Community Devotion

Though mainly known as an political challenger, Odinga became prime minister in 2008 and also established a political pact with Ruto last year in a political journey defined by shifting alliances.

He inspired intense commitment among followers, particularly in his Luo community based in the country's west, many of whom maintain he was prevented from obtaining the presidency by electoral fraud.

Numerous of Odinga's followers, who were not living in 1991 when Kenya established itself as a pluralistic political system, expressed respect to Odinga's contributions as an activist.