Disaster Occurs as 4 Killed During Memorial for Kenyan Opposition Leader Raila Odinga
A quartet of persons lost their lives in Nairobi when security forces opened fire and deployed teargas to scatter massive crowds at a venue where political figure Raila Odinga's remains was on public view.
Political Leader Mourned
The politician, who was a major force in the country's governance for decades, died on midweek at age 80 while receiving medical treatment in the Asian nation.
He campaigned vigorously for political pluralism, and we benefit from those rights today because of his work.
Disorder Breaks Out at Stadium
Countless supporters congregated on thoroughfares from early morning, with disorder occurring when massive group breached a barrier at Nairobi's main stadium, prompting armed forces to discharge weapons upward.
- Two people lost their lives to gunfire at the venue
- Fatalities later rose to four
- Numerous people sustained injuries
- Police employed irritants to disperse countless grievers
Airport Event and Government Building Confrontation
Earlier in the day, numerous of grievers momentarily entered the city's air terminal, halting a formal proceeding where the head of state and government representatives were receiving Odinga's corpse with military honors.
This incident prompted a brief stoppage of aviation services.
Crowds also flooded surrounding thoroughfares and sought to penetrate parliament, where the authorities had initially planned the public viewing.
Political Legacy and Ethnic Backing
Although primarily recognized as an opposition figure, Odinga became senior minister in 2008 and also formed a agreement with the leader last year in a political journey marked by shifting alliances.
He generated strong loyalty among followers, particularly in his Luo community based in the country's west, many of whom contend he was prevented from obtaining the nation's leadership by electoral fraud.
Numerous of Odinga's mourners, who were not yet born in 1991 when Kenya established itself as a multi-party democracy, paid tribute to Odinga's efforts as an campaigner.
