Disaster Occurs as Four Lose Lives During Mourning for Kenyan Political Figure Raila Odinga
Four people perished in Kenya's capital when armed personnel opened fire and used teargas to break up massive crowds at a sports arena where political figure Raila Odinga's corpse was lying in state.
National Leader Remembered
The politician, who was a significant presence in the nation's political landscape for many years, died on Wednesday at age 80 while in hospital care in the subcontinent.
He struggled relentlessly for multi-party democracy, and we experience those liberties today because of his work.
Turmoil Unfolds at Stadium
Countless devotees gathered on thoroughfares from early morning, with disorder erupting when enormous throng broke through a barrier at the capital's primary venue, leading to military personnel to shoot skyward.
- Two people perished from bullets at the venue
- Casualties subsequently increased to four people
- Many people sustained injuries
- Law enforcement employed irritants to scatter thousands attendees
Airport Event and Government Building Situation
Previously that day, thousands of mourners momentarily entered the city's air terminal, disrupting a formal proceeding where the head of state and other officials were welcoming Odinga's corpse with formal recognition.
This situation caused a temporary halt of airport operations.
Assemblies also overwhelmed nearby roads and sought to penetrate the legislative building, where the administration had first arranged the community homage.
Political Heritage and Ethnic Backing
Though mainly known as an opposition figure, Odinga served as prime minister in 2008 and also formed a political pact with the president last year in a career characterized by shifting alliances.
He inspired passionate devotion among followers, particularly in his cultural background based in the country's west, many of whom believe he was prevented from obtaining the presidency by election irregularities.
Many of Odinga's followers, who were not yet born in 1991 when Kenya established itself as a pluralistic political system, offered homage to Odinga's contributions as an advocate.
