Security forces in Nairobi used live rounds and teargas to disperse crowds at a stadium where Raila Odinga lay in state
At least four people were killed and others injured when Kenyan security forces opened fire and used teargas as unrest erupted at the funeral ceremony of veteran opposition leader Raila Odinga in Nairobi, local media reported on Thursday. Mourners had gathered to view the body of Odinga at a stadium.
Odinga died on Wednesday at the age of 80 in India of reported cardiac arrest. His body is scheduled to be flown to Siaya on Saturday, ahead of the funeral on Sunday at his ancestral home in Bondo, The Star stated.
According to the published videos, the chaos began when a large crowd broke through the gates of the stadium where the body of the deceased politician popularly known as ‘Baba’, meaning father, was lying. Soldiers first fired shots into the air, before live ammunition was used.
Earlier that day, thousands of mourners briefly forced their way into Nairobi’s international airport, halting a ceremony where President William Ruto and other officials were receiving Raila Odinga’s body with full military honors. The disruption led to a two-hour suspension of airport operations.
Read more Judge dread: What is the fate of the law in a key African state?The state funeral is taking place on Friday at the stadium. Also attending the ceremony are Winnie Odinga, daughter of Raila Odinga, and his son Raila Junior.
Raila Odinga was a dominant figure in Kenya’s opposition for more than 40 years, running unsuccessfully for president five times. His disputed 2007 loss triggered unrest that led to over 1,000 people being killed. Emerging from that was a power-sharing deal under which the post of prime minister was created. He held that position from 2008 to 2013.
In 2022, William Ruto narrowly defeated him in a presidential election. Odinga continued to lead protests over governance and economic issues.
READ MORE: Kenya mourns ‘patriotic and selfless’ politician (VIDEOS)
In June and July, a wave of violent anti-government protests swept across Kenya, with human rights groups reporting dozens dead, hundreds injured and property damaged. The UN rights office called for independent investigations into the “use of force” by Kenyan police, while Ruto stated that protesters who attack security installations and businesses were waging “war” against the government.
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