Kenyan police on Thursday opened fire on mourners gathered for a public viewing of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s body, resulting in the deaths of two people. The incident took place at a 60,000-capacity stadium in Nairobi, where thousands had assembled to pay their respects to the late opposition leader.
The head of police operations, Adamson Bungei, confirmed the fatalities and said officers were responding to a crowd control situation that escalated. “In the process of managing the crowd, two lives were unfortunately lost,” Bungei stated.
Eyewitnesses reported scenes of panic and confusion as shots rang out amid the gathering. Some accused the police of using excessive force, while others blamed poor organization and a lack of proper crowd management at the high-profile event.
The victims were among the many who had come to honor Odinga, whose death in India a day earlier shocked the nation. His body had arrived in Nairobi early Thursday, received by senior government officials and family members.
Raila Odinga was a towering figure in Kenyan politics, known for his decades-long fight for democracy and electoral justice. His death has drawn condolences from leaders across Africa and sparked a national period of mourning.
The public viewing was part of a larger program leading up to Odinga’s state funeral over the weekend. Officials say the funeral will proceed, although enhanced security measures are now being considered.
Human rights organizations quickly condemned the police response and called for an independent investigation into the incident. “This was a peaceful event that ended in bloodshed. The use of live bullets on unarmed citizens is unacceptable,” one rights group said.
Videos circulating online showed people running for cover, some carrying injured individuals away from the scene. The chaos disrupted the event, though many mourners still managed to view the casket once order was restored.
As the country prepares to bury one of its most influential leaders, the circumstances surrounding the fatal shootings have ignited debate over police conduct and the state’s approach to public gatherings.
