Tragedy Occurs as Four Lose Lives During Memorial for Kenya's Opposition Leader Raila Odinga
Four people lost their lives in Kenya's capital when armed personnel opened fire and used teargas to disperse huge gatherings at a sports arena where statesman Raila Odinga's body was lying in state.
National Leader Remembered
The politician, who remained a major force in Kenyan politics for many years, succumbed on midweek at 80 years old while in hospital care in India.
He fought tirelessly for multi-party democracy, and we benefit from those freedoms today because of his efforts.
Turmoil Unfolds at Arena
Thousands devotees congregated on the streets from early morning, with disorder erupting when massive group breached a gate at the capital's primary venue, leading to soldiers to fire in the air.
- A pair of persons lost their lives to gunfire at the stadium
- Death toll later rose to 4
- Scores of people were hurt
- Authorities employed irritants to scatter thousands grievers
Airport Event and Parliament Situation
Earlier in the day, numerous of supporters momentarily entered the capital's aviation hub, interrupting a ceremony where the nation's leader and dignitaries were receiving Odinga's body with armed forces tribute.
This incident prompted a temporary halt of airport operations.
Assemblies also flooded adjacent streets and tried to enter the legislative building, where the authorities had initially planned the community homage.
National Heritage and Ethnic Support
Though mainly known as an opposition figure, Odinga became senior minister in 2008 and also struck a agreement with the president last year in a political journey characterized by evolving coalitions.
He commanded intense commitment among followers, particularly in his Luo community based in western Kenya, many of whom contend he was prevented from obtaining the nation's leadership by electoral fraud.
Many of Odinga's mourners, who were not yet born in 1991 when Kenya became a multi-faction governance, paid tribute to Odinga's efforts as an advocate.
