Calamity Strikes as Four Lose Lives During Memorial for Kenya's Opposition Leader Raila Odinga
Four people were killed in Kenya's capital when security forces discharged weapons and used teargas to break up massive crowds at a stadium where political figure Raila Odinga's corpse was displayed for homage.
National Leader Honored
Odinga, who remained a major force in Kenyan politics for a long period, passed away on midweek at age 80 while in hospital care in India.
He campaigned vigorously for political pluralism, and we benefit from those liberties today because of his efforts.
Chaos Unfolds at Arena
Thousands supporters assembled on the streets from dawn, with disorder occurring when enormous throng breached a barrier at Nairobi's main stadium, leading to armed forces to shoot skyward.
- A pair of persons were shot dead at the venue
- Fatalities later rose to 4
- Scores of persons sustained injuries
- Police employed irritants to scatter thousands grievers
Aviation Hub Event and Government Building Standoff
Previously that day, numerous of grievers briefly stormed the city's air terminal, halting a ceremony where the nation's leader and other officials were accepting Odinga's body with military honors.
This incident prompted a two-hour suspension of airport operations.
Crowds also overwhelmed nearby roads and tried to enter the government complex, where the authorities had initially planned the community homage.
National Impact and Community Devotion
Though mainly known as an government critic, Odinga assumed the role of head of government in 2008 and also formed a alliance with the leader last year in a career marked by shifting alliances.
He generated strong loyalty among followers, especially in his Luo community based in western Kenya, many of whom maintain he was denied the nation's leadership by vote manipulation.
Numerous of Odinga's supporters, who were not living in 1991 when Kenya established itself as a pluralistic political system, expressed respect to Odinga's efforts as an campaigner.
