Disaster Strikes as 4 Killed During Memorial for Kenya's Political Figure Raila Odinga
A quartet of persons were killed in Kenya's capital when security forces shot and employed chemical irritants to disperse massive crowds at a venue where opposition leader Raila Odinga's remains was displayed for homage.
Political Leader Remembered
The statesman, who was a major force in the country's governance for many years, died on that day at 80 years old while in hospital care in India.
He campaigned vigorously for political pluralism, and we experience those freedoms today because of his struggle.
Chaos Unfolds at Arena
Countless supporters gathered on the streets from sunrise, with mayhem occurring when massive group forced open a entrance at the capital's primary venue, causing soldiers to shoot skyward.
- Two people were shot dead at the venue
- Death toll eventually reached to four people
- Numerous individuals got wounded
- Authorities employed irritants to clear thousands grievers
Airport Disruption and Parliament Standoff
Earlier in the day, thousands of supporters momentarily entered the city's air terminal, disrupting a formal proceeding where the head of state and other officials were accepting Odinga's body with armed forces tribute.
This incident caused a two-hour suspension of flight activities.
Crowds also flooded adjacent streets and tried to enter the government complex, where the authorities had initially planned the public viewing.
Political Legacy and Ethnic Support
While predominantly identified as an government critic, Odinga served as prime minister in 2008 and also struck a political pact with the president last year in a political journey defined by shifting alliances.
He inspired passionate devotion among supporters, especially in his ethnic group based in western Kenya, many of whom believe he was denied the presidency by vote manipulation.
Numerous of Odinga's supporters, who were not living in 1991 when Kenya established itself as a multi-party democracy, offered homage to Odinga's contributions as an activist.