NEWS & POLITICS
Two dead, 160 injured in stampede at Raila Odinga’s funeral as massive crowds overwhelm Nairobi stadium
Two people have been confirmed dead and more than 160 injured following a stampede at the state funeral of Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga at Nairobi’s Nyayo National Stadium, according to local reports.
Noluthando Buthelezi
Nairobi, Kenya — October 17 (Running Africa) — Kenyan broadcaster NTV said the tragedy unfolded as massive crowds surged forward, attempting to get a closer view of Odinga’s body during the ceremony. The high-profile event, attended by President William Ruto and featuring full military honors, drew tens of thousands of mourners who had gathered to pay their final respects to the veteran politician.
Authorities have launched an investigation into crowd management failures that led to the deadly incident, as the nation mourns one of its most influential political figures.
Witnesses said the atmosphere at Nyayo Stadium was initially festive, with mourners whistling, dancing, and waving white handkerchiefs beneath giant banners bearing Raila Odinga’s image. However, the crowd soon grew restless and chaotic, leading to the deadly surge.
Image: azertag.az
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Doctors Without Borders reported that its emergency teams treated dozens of people for fractures, bruises, and blunt-force trauma sustained during the stampede.
Odinga, 80, was a towering figure in Kenyan politics and a symbol of resilience. A former political prisoner turned reform advocate, he ran for the presidency five times but never secured victory. His campaigns were frequently marred by controversy, with his supporters alleging widespread electoral fraud in the 2007, 2013, and 2017 elections — all of which were flagged by international observers for irregularities and contested vote tallies.
The opposition leader Raila Odinga passed away in India, where he had been receiving medical treatment, according to family sources.
His body was flown back to Kenya last week, where thousands of mourners thronged Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to pay their final respects, forcing authorities to suspend flights for nearly two hours due to the overwhelming crowds.
Odinga was laid to rest on Sunday at his family homestead in western Kenya, surrounded by relatives, dignitaries, and members of his Luo community, who honored him with traditional rites befitting one of the nation’s most enduring political figures.
