Calamity Hits as Four Die During Mourning for Kenyan Political Figure Raila Odinga
Four individuals were killed in Nairobi when armed personnel opened fire and employed chemical irritants to scatter massive crowds at a sports arena where statesman Raila Odinga's remains was lying in state.
National Leader Honored
Odinga, who had been a major force in the country's governance for many years, died on Wednesday at age 80 while undergoing healthcare in the subcontinent.
He struggled relentlessly for political pluralism, and we are enjoying those freedoms today because of his struggle.
Disorder Unfolds at Venue
Thousands devotees congregated on the streets from sunrise, with disorder breaking out when massive group forced open a gate at the city's central arena, leading to soldiers to discharge weapons upward.
- A pair of persons were shot dead at the stadium
- Death toll later rose to four people
- Scores of people were hurt
- Authorities used teargas to clear thousands grievers
Aviation Hub Disruption and Parliament Standoff
During the morning, thousands of supporters briefly stormed the city's air terminal, interrupting a ceremony where the nation's leader and dignitaries were welcoming Odinga's corpse with armed forces tribute.
This event caused a two-hour suspension of airport operations.
Groups also occupied nearby roads and sought to penetrate parliament, where the authorities had initially planned the public viewing.
National Legacy and Community Devotion
Though mainly known as an political challenger, Odinga assumed the role of prime minister in 2008 and also struck a political pact with the leader last year in a political journey marked by changing partnerships.
He generated intense commitment among supporters, especially in his ethnic group based in western Kenya, many of whom maintain he was prevented from obtaining the highest office by electoral fraud.
Countless of Odinga's followers, who were unborn in 1991 when Kenya established itself as a multi-party democracy, offered homage to Odinga's work as an activist.