Four people have been killed in Nairobi after security forces fired shots and teargas to disperse crowds at a stadium where the body of opposition leader Raila Odinga was lying in state. Odinga, a major figure in Kenyan politics for decades, died on Wednesday aged 80 in India, where he had been receiving medical treatment.
Thousands of supporters gathered at Nairobi's main stadium from early morning, but chaos erupted when a huge crowd breached a gate, prompting soldiers to fire in the air. A police source confirmed two deaths at the stadium, while local media later reported the toll had risen to four, with scores injured. Police used teargas to disperse mourners, leaving the stadium deserted.
Earlier, mourners briefly stormed Nairobi's international airport, interrupting a ceremony for President William Ruto and other officials to receive Odinga's body with military honours. The incident caused a two-hour suspension of airport operations. Crowds also flooded nearby roads and attempted to breach parliament, where the public viewing had originally been scheduled.
Odinga, who was once a political prisoner and ran unsuccessfully for president five times, became prime minister in 2008 and struck a political pact with Ruto last year. He commanded passionate devotion among supporters, especially in his Luo community, many of whom believe he was denied the presidency by electoral fraud. Mourners paid tribute to his role as an activist for multi-party democracy in Kenya.
