Two people died and others were injured on Friday, October 17, in a stampede at the Nyayo National Stadium while the body of late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga was being viewed publicly.
Doctors Without Borders (MSF) emergency response team treated several victims after chaos erupted immediately after mourners surged to catch a glimpse of Odinga’s corpse. This followed the dignitaries having left the ground and the general public having been permitted to pass by the coffin.
Witnesses described that the crowd suddenly moved forward, spreading panic and confusion that left some of the people mourning in the middle of the mêlée.
The Kenya Red Cross verified that some people were injured during the event and were taken for immediate medical attention.
It’s been a difficult day for our teams at Nyayo Stadium with the experience of a stampede that left many in dire need of care,” the agency said in a statement. “Our responders continue to address first aid, psychosocial care, and medical evacuations among other emergency partners.”.
Stadium photos took Raila Odinga’s family near his coffin widow Ida Odinga, daughters Winnie and Rosemary, and his brother Oburu Odinga, with close relatives and officials in tow during the public viewing, which continued under close security.
The Nyayo tragedy followed on the heels of another chaotic event at Kasarani Stadium, where huge crowds had gathered to pay homage.
In a chaotic turn of events on Thursday, October 16, mayhem erupted as police requested sudden departure from mourners at the stadium in a few seconds, and there was a stampede and panic. The people reportedly started hurling stones, leading to intervention by security officers.
Medical Services Principal Secretary Dr. Ouma Oluga later confirmed that about 100 people were treated for injuries they sustained during the chaos.
We wish to call upon Kenyans to be peaceful and to be orderly,” Dr. Oluga pleaded. “We are all mourning; let us bury Baba in peace. Yesterday, there was chaos at Kasarani and people were hurt. We don’t want to witness that again.”.
The back-to-back clashes raised speculation on crowd control and public safety during the national farewell ceremonies of the late opposition leader, whose passing has galvanized unparalleled national emotion and turnout.
