A somber farewell to Kenya’s longtime opposition leader and statesman, Raila Amollo Odinga, descended into chaos on Thursday afternoon when police fired teargas and live rounds to control surging crowds at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani. The incident left two people dead and several others injured before calm was eventually restored.
What began as a national moment of unity and mourning quickly turned tragic as thousands of mourners who had gathered to view the body of the former Prime Minister were caught in a stampede triggered by police crowd control measures.
Live footage broadcast seen by SIAYA TODAY captured harrowing scenes of teargas filling the stadium as terrified mourners screamed and scrambled for the exits. Shouts of “Get out!” echoed across the terraces as security officers struggled to maintain order.
Eyewitnesses reported that the confrontation started when police attempted to clear sections of the stadium reserved for senior government officials and visiting dignitaries. In the confusion, officers lobbed teargas canisters and fired shots into the air — but at least two people were fatally hit by stray bullets, according to preliminary reports from emergency responders.
“It was supposed to be peaceful. Suddenly there was smoke everywhere and people started running — that’s when we heard gunshots,” said one mourner who witnessed the tragedy.
Several journalists covering the ceremony sustained injuries, with images showing reporters and photographers lying on the ground shielding themselves as the crowd surged chaotically.
Kenya Red Cross confirmed that its teams responded to multiple injuries both inside the stadium and along major routes from Parliament Buildings to Kasarani, where thousands had lined the roads to pay their last respects.
“We have and continue to attend to injuries sustained as crowds gathered along Parliament Road, at Cabanas, and now at Kasarani Stadium,” the humanitarian agency said in a statement, adding that it was providing first aid and psychosocial support in collaboration with E-Plus Ambulances.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen later arrived at the venue and, together with security agencies, successfully restored order. Calm gradually returned, allowing the public viewing to resume under heightened security.
Among the dignitaries present at the stadium are President William Ruto and former President Uhuru Kenyatta, who joined thousands of Kenyans in paying their final respects to a man whose political journey shaped the nation’s history.
The body of the late Raila Odinga now lies in state at the Kasarani Stadium, where a continuous stream of mourners is filing past in solemn tribute. The viewing had earlier been relocated from Parliament Buildings due to the overwhelming turnout of citizens eager to bid farewell to the veteran leader.
“Due to the surging number of mourners, the viewing of the body of H.E. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga has been moved from Parliament Buildings to Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani,” ODM had earlier announced.
The tragic loss of life has cast a shadow over what was meant to be a dignified national farewell. Yet, as calm prevails once again, the unbroken lines of mourners at Kasarani testify to the enduring love and respect millions of Kenyans hold for the man they fondly call Baba.
#FareTheeWellBabaRailaOdinga
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