Police Fire Tear Gas at Kasarani Stadium to Disperse Mourners
Police officers on Thursday fired tear gas at Kasarani Stadium to disperse thousands of mourners who had gathered for the viewing of Raila Odinga’s body. The confrontation caused chaos, forcing people to flee in panic as smoke filled the 48,000-capacity venue.
Footage shared online showed mourners scattering in different directions as officers lobbed tear gas. Within minutes, the stadium, which had been packed to capacity, was almost empty as police cleared the area.
How the Chaos Started
Reports indicate that trouble began when a section of mourners started throwing stones toward the pitch, prompting police to respond with force. Witnesses said several officers also used sticks to drive people out of the stands.
Unconfirmed accounts suggested that some individuals were injured during the chaos, with two people allegedly shot dead. Emergency paramedics treated several mourners at the scene after calm was restored.
Events Leading to the Incident
The crowd had gathered at Kasarani after organizers moved the viewing of Raila Odinga’s body from Parliament Buildings to Moi International Sports Centre due to overwhelming public turnout. The body’s procession from Lee Funeral Home was also canceled because of heavy traffic and security concerns.
Earlier in the day, the plane carrying Raila’s body from India landed at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), where thousands of Kenyans thronged the area to pay their respects. The public breached the VIP zone, delaying the official reception and preventing President William Ruto from formally receiving the body.
The convoy then made its way to Kasarani, accompanied by military personnel and followed by crowds of Kenyans on foot and motorcycles along Thika Road. The delay caused the scheduled 12 noon public viewing to start much later than expected.
Aftermath and Security Response
After police dispersed the mourners, calm eventually returned, and some people were later allowed back into the stadium. Paramedics treated the injured as officers maintained a heavy presence to control access.
President Ruto has yet to officially receive Raila’s body. Mama Ida Odinga has not yet viewed her late husband’s remains. This is part of the ongoing official repatriation protocol.
