Tragedy Hits as Four Die During Memorial for Kenya's Political Figure Raila Odinga
A quartet of persons were killed in Nairobi when armed personnel shot and deployed teargas to break up massive crowds at a stadium where statesman Raila Odinga's corpse was lying in state.
National Leader Mourned
Odinga, who had been a major force in Kenyan politics for many years, passed away on Wednesday at 80 years old while in hospital care in the Asian nation.
He campaigned vigorously for multi-party democracy, and we benefit from those freedoms today because of his efforts.
Turmoil Erupts at Arena
Countless supporters gathered on thoroughfares from sunrise, with mayhem occurring when enormous throng breached a barrier at Nairobi's main stadium, causing armed forces to discharge weapons upward.
- Two people were shot dead at the stadium
- Casualties later rose to 4
- Scores of individuals were hurt
- Law enforcement employed irritants to clear numerous grievers
Aviation Hub Incident and Government Building Confrontation
Earlier in the day, countless of grievers briefly stormed the capital's aviation hub, interrupting a ceremony where the head of state and other officials were accepting Odinga's corpse with formal recognition.
This incident caused a two-hour suspension of airport operations.
Groups also overwhelmed nearby roads and sought to penetrate parliament, where the government had initially planned the public viewing.
National Impact and Community Backing
Although primarily recognized as an political challenger, Odinga became prime minister in 2008 and also formed a alliance with the leader last year in a career marked by shifting alliances.
He inspired passionate devotion among supporters, particularly in his cultural background based in the nation's western region, many of whom believe he was denied the presidency by vote manipulation.
Countless of Odinga's supporters, who were unborn in 1991 when Kenya became a multi-party democracy, paid tribute to Odinga's work as an campaigner.
