Disaster Hits as Four Lose Lives During Memorial for Kenya's Opposition Leader Raila Odinga
Four people perished in the capital city when armed personnel opened fire and used teargas to break up massive crowds at a sports arena where statesman Raila Odinga's corpse was lying in state.
Political Figure Remembered
Odinga, who had been a major force in the nation's political landscape for many years, died on midweek at eight decades while in hospital care in India.
He campaigned vigorously for multi-party democracy, and we are enjoying those rights today because of his efforts.
Turmoil Breaks Out at Venue
Countless supporters congregated on roadways from sunrise, with disorder breaking out when massive group broke through a barrier at the city's central arena, prompting military personnel to shoot skyward.
- A pair of persons lost their lives to gunfire at the location
- Casualties eventually reached to 4
- Scores of persons sustained injuries
- Police used teargas to disperse countless attendees
Airport Disruption and Government Building Confrontation
During the morning, countless of supporters briefly stormed the city's air terminal, halting a ceremony where President William Ruto and other officials were receiving Odinga's body with armed forces tribute.
This event prompted a brief stoppage of airport operations.
Crowds also occupied nearby roads and tried to enter the legislative building, where the authorities had first arranged the community homage.
Political Legacy and Ethnic Support
Though mainly known as an government critic, Odinga became senior minister in 2008 and also established a political pact with the leader last year in a career marked by shifting alliances.
He generated intense commitment among adherents, particularly in his Luo community based in the country's west, many of whom maintain he was denied the nation's leadership by election irregularities.
Numerous of Odinga's followers, who were not living in 1991 when Kenya became a multi-party democracy, offered homage to Odinga's work as an campaigner.