At least four people have been confirmed dead and several others injured on Thursday after a deadly stampede broke out in Nairobi, Kenya’s capital, during the lying-in-state of opposition leader Raila Odinga.
The chaos erupted when thousands of mourners tried to force their way into a stadium where Odinga’s body had been placed for public viewing. Security forces reportedly fired gunshots into the air and used teargas to control the surging crowd, triggering panic and deadly commotion.
Reuters quoted police sources as saying that two people were initially shot dead at the scene, while Kenyan broadcasters KTN News and Citizen TV later reported that the death toll had risen to four. Witnesses said dozens were left injured as mourners scattered in confusion.
Odinga, a towering figure in Kenyan politics and five-time presidential candidate, died on Wednesday at the age of 80 in India, where he had been receiving medical treatment. His death prompted President William Ruto to declare seven days of national mourning, with flags flying at half-mast across the country.
Earlier in the day, thousands of supporters stormed Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, disrupting a ceremony where President Ruto and other top officials had gathered to receive Odinga’s body with full military honours. The incident forced authorities to suspend airport operations for two hours.
Crowds also spilled onto nearby roads and attempted to breach Parliament, where a public viewing had been scheduled before being moved to the stadium.
Witnesses described the atmosphere as emotionally charged and chaotic. “He fought tirelessly for multi-party democracy, and we are enjoying those freedoms today because of his struggle,” university student Felix Ambani Uneck told Reuters at the stadium.
Odinga, who once served as Kenya’s prime minister in 2008, was widely regarded as the face of Kenya’s democratic struggle. A former political prisoner, he spent years challenging one-party rule and pushing for electoral reforms.
Despite his reputation as an opposition stalwart, Odinga’s career was marked by shifting alliances. He reconciled with President Ruto last year, ending years of bitter rivalry.
Analysts and historians say one of his greatest legacies is his role in championing Kenya’s 2010 Constitution, which ushered in sweeping political reforms and strengthened democratic institutions.
As night fell over Nairobi, the stadium grounds were cordoned off by police, and cleanup crews moved in to clear the site. Government officials said an investigation had been launched into the incident as tributes continued to pour in from across Africa and beyond.
