Two people were killed and more than 160 others injured during a stampede at the state funeral of Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga in Nairobi on Friday, according to Doctors Without Borders.
The funeral, held at Nyayo National Stadium, drew massive crowds as Kenyans gathered to honor Odinga, a towering figure in the country’s political history. Heavy security was deployed for the ceremony, which was attended by President William Ruto and other senior officials.
According to Kenyan broadcaster NTV, the stampede occurred when sections of the crowd surged forward to view Odinga’s body, crushing several mourners. The Kenya Red Cross said its teams were on-site providing emergency care and evacuating the injured, though full details remained unclear.
Doctors Without Borders reported that the injured suffered blunt trauma and fractures, though not all cases were confirmed to be linked directly to the crush.
The tragedy followed deadly unrest a day earlier, when three people were shot dead after security forces opened fire on mourners who breached a gate at Kasarani Stadium during a public viewing of Odinga’s body.
Odinga, a five-time presidential candidate and former prime minister, died on Wednesday at age 80 in India, where he had been receiving medical treatment. Known affectionately as “Baba” — meaning “father” in Swahili — he inspired deep loyalty among his supporters, particularly within his Luo community in western Kenya.
At Friday’s ceremony, thousands of mourners waved white handkerchiefs, sang, and danced under banners bearing Odinga’s image. Earlier, emotional crowds flooded Nairobi’s airport to welcome his body, forcing a two-hour suspension of flights.
Odinga’s burial is scheduled for Sunday at his rural home in western Kenya, where preparations are underway for a massive turnout to bid farewell to one of the nation’s most influential and enduring political figures.
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Source:Africa Publicity
