🔗 Share this article

A quartet of persons lost their lives in the capital city when armed personnel opened fire and deployed teargas to disperse huge gatherings at a venue where statesman Raila Odinga's remains was on public view.

National Leader Honored

The politician, who was a major force in Kenyan politics for many years, died on Wednesday at age 80 while receiving medical treatment in the Asian nation.

He struggled relentlessly for political pluralism, and we are enjoying those liberties today because of his struggle.

Disorder Erupts at Arena

Thousands followers gathered on roadways from dawn, with disorder erupting when a large crowd broke through a barrier at the city's central arena, causing military personnel to fire in the air.

• Two people perished from bullets at the venue
• Death toll later rose to four
• Many individuals sustained injuries
• Law enforcement used teargas to clear numerous grievers

Airport Disruption and Government Building Standoff

Previously that day, thousands of grievers temporarily invaded the capital's aviation hub, halting a formal proceeding where President William Ruto and other officials were accepting Odinga's remains with formal recognition.

This event caused a temporary halt of flight activities.

Groups also flooded adjacent streets and attempted to breach parliament, where the government had first arranged the community homage.

National Heritage and Ethnic Devotion

Though mainly known as an political challenger, Odinga assumed the role of senior minister in 2008 and also established a alliance with the president last year in a political journey marked by changing partnerships.

He inspired strong loyalty among supporters, especially in his cultural background based in the country's west, many of whom maintain he was deprived of the presidency by election irregularities.

Countless of Odinga's supporters, who were not living in 1991 when Kenya transitioned to a multi-party democracy, expressed respect to Odinga's work as an activist.