Kisumu, Kenya — A subdued mourning of the passing of Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga went tragic on Saturday when a memorial service in Kisumu city, western Kenya, left multiple people injured. The accident is the latest day of violence as shock waves over Odinga’s passing swept across the East African nation.
Several of those present were seriously injured and rushed to nearby hospitals by huge crowds surging forward during the memorial service, a Kenyan Red Cross spokesman reported. Reuters reporter present witnessed emergency responders and volunteers administering first aid to injured individuals as chaos reigned at Jomo Kenyatta Stadium, where the ceremony was being held.
The Standard newspaper on X (ex-Twitter) reported that hundreds were likely hurt as the tightly packed individuals tried to move closer to view Odinga’s body.
Violence and Tragedy Overcast Farewell Services
Saturday’s catastrophe came a day after two people were killed and more than 160 others wounded at Odinga’s state funeral in Nairobi, a Doctors Without Borders (MSF) report said. The majority of the injuries, the organization said, were caused by stampedes and trampling as tens of thousands attempted to get into the ceremony area.
Odinga’s death on Wednesday at the age of 80 in India, where he was receiving medical attention, has left Kenya in mourning nationwide. The political giant had been a five-time presidential candidate, a former prime minister, and one of Kenya’s most powerful leaders in opposition since independence.
He was also an ex-political prisoner who spent years in detention at the behest of the repressive governments of the 1980s. Over the decades, he had turned into a symbol of reform and democracy, fostering rabid loyalty—particularly from his Luo ethnic community in western Kenya.
Tensions Mount During Public Viewing
Thursday’s public procession of Odinga’s body in Nairobi was already descending into violence when police opened live fire after mourners charged a stadium gate to attempt to gain admission. At least three were killed by gunfire, confirmed police, underscoring the government’s failure to maintain control over the enormous crowds and weeping multitudes.
Police indicated the numbers were far beyond expectation, with tens of thousands traveling from across the nation to pay tribute.
Kisumu Memorial Turns Rowdy
As Odinga’s body was brought on Saturday to Kisumu for the final farewell before burial, thousands jammed Jomo Kenyatta Stadium in an outbreak of grief and adoration. Witnesses described a sea of tears, chanting, and flag-waving, but the atmosphere quickly turned violent as additional mourners rushed the casket entrance.
Footage being shared online captured medics rushing through tight throngs with stretchers in hand as police attempted to keep the converging mourners in check. “It was overwhelming,” an eyewitness stated. “Everyone wanted a glimpse of Baba one last time.
Due to security concerns, organizers postponed a planned road procession from Kisumu to Odinga’s rural Bondo homestead in Siaya County. The body will be flown straight to Bondo for a private family ceremony, local media reported.
A Nation in Mourning and Reflection
Kenya remains in a national state of mourning. Flags across the country have been flown at half-mast, while memorial services continue in towns like Mombasa, Eldoret, and Nakuru. President William Ruto declared seven days of national mourning, terming Odinga “a man who spent his life in the struggle for justice, democracy, and equality.”
Odinga’s death has reopened historical wounds in Kenya, where his followers have long accused the government of excluding opposition bastions. Pundits argue that the emotional pitch of his death marks a reflection of his entrenched association with the fight for multi-party democracy and social justice.
Legacy of a Political Titan
Raila Odinga is left with a record of controversy and courage. Even if he failed in the presidency, his mark on Kenya’s politics is irreversible — from pushing for constitutional reforms to framing the nation’s language on governance and national unity.
“He was not just a politician, he was a movement,” political analyst David Makali noted. “Even in death, Raila Odinga has united Kenyans in grief and reflection on what true leadership is about.”
As his body is being returned to his hometown village in Bondo, Kenya is saying farewell to one of its longest-serving political icons — although the mourning is tinged with tragedy and heartbreak.
