Calamity Hits as 4 Killed During Mourning for Kenya's Opposition Leader Raila Odinga
A quartet of persons perished in Nairobi when armed personnel shot and employed chemical irritants to disperse huge gatherings at a sports arena where statesman Raila Odinga's body was lying in state.
Political Figure Honored
The statesman, who remained a major force in the nation's political landscape for decades, passed away on that day at eight decades while undergoing healthcare in the subcontinent.
He struggled relentlessly for multi-party democracy, and we experience those rights today because of his work.
Turmoil Breaks Out at Arena
Thousands followers gathered on thoroughfares from dawn, with disorder breaking out when a large crowd broke through a entrance at Nairobi's main stadium, prompting military personnel to shoot skyward.
- Two people perished from bullets at the venue
- Casualties later rose to four people
- Scores of people sustained injuries
- Police used teargas to clear thousands mourners
Airport Event and Government Building Confrontation
During the morning, countless of mourners briefly stormed Nairobi's international airport, interrupting a formal proceeding where the head of state and dignitaries were receiving Odinga's corpse with armed forces tribute.
This incident prompted a temporary halt of airport operations.
Crowds also flooded surrounding thoroughfares and attempted to breach the legislative building, where the administration had initially planned the public viewing.
National Heritage and Ethnic Devotion
Though mainly known as an opposition figure, Odinga served as senior minister in 2008 and also formed a agreement with the president last year in a public service marked by changing partnerships.
He commanded passionate devotion among supporters, especially in his Luo community based in western Kenya, many of whom maintain he was deprived of the nation's leadership by vote manipulation.
Many of Odinga's supporters, who were not living in 1991 when Kenya transitioned to a multi-party democracy, paid tribute to Odinga's contributions as an activist.
