Organized public viewing of the body of the late Raila Odinga will be held somewhere else. The exercise, which was to take place at the Moi Stadium, will now be undertaken at the Jomo Kenyatta Stadium in Mamboleo.
This is done in line with increased concerns regarding crowd security and street crime.
Kisumu County Commissioner Benson Leparmorijo said the decision was made after a tour of both venues and discussions with the funeral planning team, which includes Deputy President Kithure Kindiki.
“We’ve seen some incidents of muggings and extortion around town,” Leparmorijo told reporters. “This is a time for peaceful mourning. We’re asking everyone to follow the law and keep things orderly.”
With an estimated hundreds of thousands expected to arrive, the new stadium offers ample space and better organization, according to the county government.
Abala Wanga, Kisumu City Manager, added that three public entrances will be provided for convenience of coming and going in the stadium. The VIP section will be roped off, and extra security will be present.
“We are ready as much as we can be. We anticipate rain, so people should dress accordingly,” Wanga added. “We welcome everyone to come and mourn Raila with dignity let’s not turn this into a mess.”
The change of plan in Kisumu follows a similar development in Nairobi this week. Raila’s body was originally set to be received at Parliament Buildings, but the crowds were overwhelming for the team, who relocated the viewing to Kasarani Stadium.
Thousands of mourners thronged Kasarani in the morning hours before gates were opened. Embakasi East MP Babu Owino and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna were forced to climb over the fence to calm the crowd after residents charged towards the entrance.
Things escalated towards the end of the day. At 3pm, frustration had reached boiling point when mourners tried to force their way into the VIP section where the body was. Security attempted to hold back the stampede.
Plastics chairs and rocks were thrown. Police responded by firing teargas and bullets in the air in an attempt to disperse the crowd.
It was the same scenario when the body initially arrived at JKIA from India. The traffic was jammed. Movement around Lee Funeral Home, where Raila’s body arrived for preparation, was a virtual impossibility.
The State Funeral plans are still going on despite the disruptions. According to the government schedule, the ceremonies will go on for four days, stopping in Nairobi, Kisumu, and Siaya, before burial.
To others, the drunken scenes capture the deep love and respect that Kenyans have for the former Prime Minister. But their leaders are urging people to mourn with dignity.
“Let’s remember what Raila stood for peace, justice, and respect,” Leparmorijo averred.