Disaster Hits as Four Lose Lives During Memorial for Kenya's Opposition Leader Raila Odinga
Four people were killed in the capital city when security forces opened fire and used teargas to break up massive crowds at a sports arena where opposition leader Raila Odinga's remains was lying in state.
Political Leader Mourned
The statesman, who had been a prominent player in the nation's political landscape for a long period, died on midweek at age 80 while in hospital care in India.
He fought tirelessly for political pluralism, and we benefit from those liberties today because of his efforts.
Chaos Erupts at Arena
Numerous supporters assembled on thoroughfares from sunrise, with disorder occurring when massive group broke through a gate at the city's central arena, causing soldiers to fire in the air.
- Two people perished from bullets at the venue
- Casualties later rose to 4
- Scores of persons were hurt
- Authorities used teargas to clear countless grievers
Aviation Hub Disruption and Parliament Standoff
During the morning, countless of supporters temporarily invaded the city's air terminal, interrupting a official event where President William Ruto and other officials were accepting Odinga's corpse with formal recognition.
This incident led to a two-hour suspension of aviation services.
Groups also overwhelmed nearby roads and tried to enter the legislative building, where the government had originally scheduled the community homage.
Political Legacy and Ethnic Support
Although primarily recognized as an opposition figure, Odinga assumed the role of head of government in 2008 and also struck a alliance with the leader last year in a public service defined by evolving coalitions.
He inspired strong loyalty among followers, especially in his cultural background based in western Kenya, many of whom contend he was denied the nation's leadership by vote manipulation.
Numerous of Odinga's followers, who were not living in 1991 when Kenya established itself as a pluralistic political system, paid tribute to Odinga's work as an campaigner.