Kenya Police Fire Shots and Tear Gas at Crowds Gathered to See Ex-PM Odinga’s Body
Kenyan police fired tear gas at large crowds of mourners who gathered at the money market in the capital, Nairobi, to view the body of former leader Carrie Odinga after her death.
Shots were fired again, but it is unclear whether the police used live ammunition or rubber bullets.
It is reported that several people were injured in the chaos as they wanted to be safe from the crowds.
Thousands of mourners carrying twigs and palm branches initially found the body at the country’s main airport, in public awareness of the grief that forced the sforts.
A period of seven days of mourning has been declared [Reuters]
Authorities said mourners had gained access to restricted areas, prompting a “preparatory shutdown” that lasted two hours.
Due to the unexpected large crowds, the public viewing of Odinga’s body was moved to the Nairobi International Sports Center at the Kaarobi International Sports Center building in Kasarani, not inside the Parliament building where it was originally planned.
From the airport, thousands of people are transported to the court to escort the hearse to the stadium, about 10km (six miles) from the city center.
It arrived at a stadium full of outsiders.
Minutes later, a large crowd broke down the gate to the Arena, prompting the police to release the gas. Masses of mourners rushed towards the exit.
A BBC reporter at the scene also saw men in civilian hats beating the Bracers with batons.
At least three people were injured and one suffered a serious head wound, AFP News Agency reported.
Earlier, a stream of supporters had gathered at Lee Funeral Home, where the body was originally expected, and around Parliament.
“I came here at six o’clock in the morning. We are at the airport to receive my father [Odinga’s nickname]”One Murn had told the BBC near the airport.
“We are sad, we are left like orphans. He is our father.”
Motorcyclist William Otieno Adoyo said “Baba Die-Hard”.
“We want to see my father, how do we know that he is in the box? Let them show us and we will be satisfied,” he told the BBC.
A state funeral will be held at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi on Friday and on Saturday his body will be flown to Kisumu, a city in western Kenya on the shores of Lake Victoria – his political stronghold.
Members of the public will have the opportunity to view the body before it is buried on Sunday at his farm in Bondo, about 60km west of Kisumu.
According to the family, it was Odinga’s wish to be laid to rest in the shortest possible time, ideally within 72 hours.
The 80-year-old prime minister collapsed during a morning walk in India on Wednesday morning and was rushed to Devamatha Hospital, about 30 km) east of the city of Kochi.
A period of seven days of mourning has been declared. Odinga will also be given a state funeral with full military power, Kenyan President William Ruto said.
He was a cool figure in Kenya’s Peyan Politics and for many years was the country’s main opposition leader, losing five presidential campaigns, most recently three years ago.
Additional reporting by Akusa Wandera in Nairobi
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