Tragedy Occurs as Four Die During Memorial for Kenya's Opposition Leader Raila Odinga
Four people perished in Kenya's capital when security forces discharged weapons and used teargas to break up massive crowds at a venue where opposition leader Raila Odinga's body was on public view.
National Figure Mourned
The statesman, who remained a major force in the country's governance for a long period, died on midweek at age 80 while in hospital care in the Asian nation.
He struggled relentlessly for multi-party democracy, and we benefit from those rights today because of his work.
Turmoil Unfolds at Arena
Numerous followers assembled on the streets from early morning, with chaos erupting when massive group broke through a entrance at the city's central arena, causing soldiers to fire in the air.
- Two people lost their lives to gunfire at the venue
- Fatalities subsequently increased to four people
- Many people got wounded
- Police employed irritants to clear countless attendees
Aviation Hub Event and Parliament Situation
During the morning, countless of supporters briefly stormed Nairobi's international airport, disrupting a formal proceeding where the nation's leader and dignitaries were welcoming Odinga's corpse with formal recognition.
This event caused a brief stoppage of airport operations.
Crowds also overwhelmed surrounding thoroughfares and sought to penetrate the government complex, where the authorities had first arranged the open visitation.
Political Heritage and Community Support
Though mainly known as an government critic, Odinga assumed the role of prime minister in 2008 and also formed a agreement with the president last year in a public service characterized by shifting alliances.
He commanded strong loyalty among supporters, notably in his ethnic group based in western Kenya, many of whom believe he was prevented from obtaining the nation's leadership by electoral fraud.
Countless of Odinga's supporters, who were not yet born in 1991 when Kenya transitioned to a multi-party democracy, paid tribute to Odinga's efforts as an advocate.