Kenya police fire shots and tear gas at crowds gathered to see body of ex-PM Odinga
In Kenya, huge crowds of mourners fled screaming after police fired shots and tear gas into a stadium where they had gathered to view the body of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
Several people at the arena, located in the capital Nairobi, were reportedly injured in the chaos as security officers sought to disperse the crowd.
It is not yet clear whether the police used live ammunition or rubber bullets.
Odinga’s body was repatriated from India, where he died Wednesday morning. Thousands of supporters had already gone to the country’s main airport to receive the coffin, in an outpouring of grief that forced a brief interruption of flights.
Authorities said mourners gained access to restricted areas, prompting a “precautionary closure” that lasted about two hours.
From the airport, thousands of people moved in a procession to escort the vehicle carrying the body to the stadium, about 10 kilometers from the city center.
Due to the unexpected turnout, the public viewing ceremony of Odinga’s body was moved to Nairobi’s Moi International Sports Center in Kasarani district, rather than inside the Parliament building where it was originally scheduled to take place.
The convoy arrived at a crowded stadium, with other people waiting outside.
Minutes later, a large crowd forced open a door to the arena, prompting police to fire tear gas. Masses of mourners rushed for the exits in response.
A BBC journalist at the scene also saw men in plain clothes hitting the protesters with batons.
At least three people were visibly injured and one suffered a serious head injury, the AFP news agency reported.
Once the chaos was settled, government officials and dignitaries were able to view the casket. A public screening then began in the evening.
A stream of supporters had earlier gathered at Lee Funeral Home, where the body was first expected, and around Parliament.
“I arrived here at six in the morning. We were at the airport to welcome Baba [Odinga’s nickname]” a mourner told the BBC near the airport.
“We are sad, we were left orphans. He is our father.”
Biker William Otieno Adoyo said he was a “die-hard Baba”.
“We want to see Baba, how do we know it’s him in the coffin? Let them show us and we will be happy,” he told the BBC.
Mourners carried twigs and palm branches, a symbol of mourning and sorrow among the Luo ethnic group to which Odinga belonged.
The state funeral will take place on Friday at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi and on Saturday his body will be taken to Kisumu, a town in western Kenya on the shores of Lake Victoria, his political stronghold.
Members of the public will have the chance to view the body before his burial on Sunday at his farm in Bondo, about 60km west of Kisumu.
According to the family, Odinga wanted to be buried as soon as possible, ideally within 72 hours.
The 80-year-old former prime minister collapsed Wednesday morning during a morning walk in India and was taken to Devamatha Hospital, about 50 km (30 miles) east of the port city of Kochi.
A seven-day mourning period was declared. Odinga will also be given a state funeral with full military honors, Kenyan President William Ruto said.
He was a prominent figure in Kenyan politics and was for many years the country’s main opposition leader, losing five presidential campaigns, most recently three years ago.
Additional reporting by Akisa Wandera and Basillioh Rukanga in Nairobi
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