NAIROBI, Kenya – Thousands of mourners gathered at Kasarani Stadium have been dispersed using teargas, after the crowd overwhelmed the security forces.
Police lobbed teargas canisters and fired in the air to disperse the passionate supporters who wanted to view the body of the former Prime Minister the late Raila Odinga.
General Service Unit officers were seen forcefully dispersing the crowd- with many sustaining injuries.
A near stampede happened at the entrance of the stadium, after police lobbed teargas at the crowd that had accompanied the military vehicle carrying Odinga’s body.
President William Ruto, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and several Cabinet Secretaries are already at the venue for the official state viewing ceremony.
The event is taking place after a last-minute change of venue from Parliament Buildings, where the public viewing was initially planned.
The National Steering Committee said the shift to Kasarani was meant to manage the large crowds and ensure better security.
Earlier in the morning, long queues formed outside Parliament, with some mourners attempting to climb the perimeter wall before the change of venue is announced.
The Kenya Airways aircraft carrying Odinga’s body landed at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport at 9:30 a.m., where President Ruto, family members and senior leaders received it. The casket draped in the national flag was then transported to Kasarani under tight military escort.
The viewing marks the beginning of a series of national events honouring Raila Odinga, whose death in India on Wednesday is plunging the nation into mourning.
