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Raila Odinga Honored at State Funeral in Nairobi as Stampede Injures Dozens

A day after lethal police fire at Kasarani, the stampede intensified scrutiny of Kenya's crowd-control tactics.

Overview

  • President William Ruto joined Odinga's family at Nyayo Stadium for the national ceremony during a seven-day period of mourning.
  • After officials departed, a rush toward the open coffin triggered a crush that left many fainted or with broken bones, according to AFP journalists on site.
  • Rights group VOCAL Africa reported at least three deaths at Kasarani Stadium the previous day after security forces fired into a packed crowd.
  • Politicians and activists criticized the police response and urged restraint as images showed officers beating mourners and crowds fleeing in panic.
  • Authorities plan to transfer the body to western Kenya for burial after days of mass turnout that even forced a temporary halt to operations at Nairobi’s main airport.