Tragedy Hits as 4 Die During Memorial for Kenyan Political Figure Raila Odinga
Four people were killed in Kenya's capital when security forces shot and deployed teargas to scatter huge gatherings at a venue where opposition leader Raila Odinga's remains was on public view.
National Leader Honored
The statesman, who remained a significant presence in the country's governance for a long period, passed away on Wednesday at age 80 while in hospital care in the subcontinent.
He fought tirelessly for multi-party democracy, and we are enjoying those liberties today because of his efforts.
Turmoil Breaks Out at Venue
Thousands devotees assembled on the streets from dawn, with mayhem occurring when massive group forced open a barrier at Nairobi's main stadium, causing military personnel to shoot skyward.
- A pair of persons perished from bullets at the location
- Fatalities eventually reached to four people
- Scores of people were hurt
- Law enforcement employed irritants to scatter numerous mourners
Airport Event and Parliament Situation
Previously that day, numerous of grievers briefly stormed Nairobi's international airport, disrupting a ceremony where the head of state and other officials were receiving Odinga's corpse with formal recognition.
This event prompted a temporary halt of airport operations.
Groups also flooded adjacent streets and tried to enter the legislative building, where the authorities had first arranged the community homage.
Political Heritage and Community Support
Though mainly known as an government critic, Odinga served as senior minister in 2008 and also established a alliance with the president last year in a political journey marked by changing partnerships.
He commanded passionate devotion among adherents, notably in his cultural background based in the nation's western region, many of whom contend he was denied the presidency by electoral fraud.
Many of Odinga's mourners, who were not yet born in 1991 when Kenya transitioned to a pluralistic political system, expressed respect to Odinga's work as an campaigner.