One Killed in Kasarani While Viewing
It’s been reported that one person was shot dead during a chaotic scene at Kasarani Stadium, where mourners gathered for the body viewing of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
Thousands of people came together at the stadium to pay their last respects to the late prime minister.
Earlier, police had to resort to using teargas to manage a restless crowd that was pushing forward at the Kasarani International Stadium in Nairobi.
Some mourners were seen clashing with police, throwing stones in frustration. The crowd continued to swell as they moved toward the presidential dais.
President William Ruto was among the many national leaders who arrived at Kasarani for the public viewing ceremony for Raila.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, and several Cabinet Secretaries, including Kipchumba Murkomen from the Interior, were also present, along with various elected officials from different political backgrounds.
This situation arose after a last-minute change to the original plan, which had intended for the public viewing to take place at the Parliament buildings.
The National Steering Committee announced this sudden shift in the program.
The Kenya Airways plane carrying Raila’s body landed at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) right at 9:30 am. It was met by President Ruto, members of the Raila family, and several elected officials.
A heavy atmosphere enveloped the scene as the casket, draped in the national flag, was carefully lowered from the aircraft.
After the arrival, the body was set to be taken to Lee Funeral Home before heading to Parliament.
Military personnel and morticians who had been stationed at Lee and Parliament were seen gathering their things and leaving once the change of venue was confirmed.
“At first, everything was set at Parliament Buildings, but the crowd was simply uncontrollable. The mortician and his team have now left in the military van for Kasarani,” a senior official at Lee Funeral Home told journalists.
The atmosphere at Kasarani is charged with emotion as preparations unfold under strict security measures. Thousands of mourners are anticipated to come and pay their last respects, filing past the body in a heartfelt farewell.
Ruto, along with family members and dignitaries, will be the first to pay their respects to Raila’s body before the public is invited to the official state viewing ceremony.
By early morning, a sea of mourners had already gathered outside Parliament, with some even trying to climb over the perimeter wall. Long lines of people stretched along City Hall Way, winding past City Hall and heading toward Parliament Road.
One Killed in Kasarani While Viewing
