Clashes between police and mourners at former Kenyan Prime Minister's funeral

Former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga passed away yesterday at a hospital in India where he was receiving treatment. Odinga's body, which was brought to Kenya from India yesterday, was opened for viewing by thousands of people at Kasarani Stadium in the capital, Nairobi.

However, security officials fired into the air to disperse the crowd during the viewing. In a statement issued by authorities, it was stated that some individuals from the crowd at the viewing had entered restricted areas at the ceremony, and that security forces were forced to disperse the crowd as part of security measures.

When the crowd gathered outside the stadium protested the incident, police responded with force. After the crowd breached one of the stadium gates, police used tear gas against the protesters. The Kenyan press reported that the stadium where Odinga's body was brought remained empty due to the clashes between participants and police, noting that at least 4 people lost their lives and many others were injured in the incidents.

HANDOVER CEREMONY WAS INTERRUPTED

Furthermore, thousands of people flocked to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi during the day, causing the handover ceremony of Odinga's body to President William Ruto and other officials to be cut short. Following these developments, airport operations were suspended for two hours. Thousands of people accompanied the vehicle carrying Odinga's body for approximately 10 kilometers.

An official funeral ceremony for Odinga is expected to be held tomorrow at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi, and his body is expected to be transported on Saturday to the city of Kisumu in western Kenya, on the shores of Lake Victoria, which is his political stronghold.

A week of mourning was declared in Kenya yesterday due to the passing of former Prime Minister Odinga.

News Source: İHA