Big crowds of mourners in Kenya fled screaming after police fired gunshots and tear gasoline in a stadium the place they’d gathered to see the physique of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
4 folks have been reportedly killed within the chaos as safety officers sought to disperse the surging crowds.
It isn’t but clear whether or not the police used reside ammunition or rubber bullets within the area, which is positioned within the capital Nairobi.
Odinga’s physique was flown again from India, the place he died on Wednesday morning, with hundreds of individuals ready on the airport. The general public viewing lastly started within the night, after the chaos within the stadium had subsided.
The throngs of individuals on the nation’s essential airport pressured the authorities to briefly droop flights.
The authorities stated mourners had gained entry to restricted areas, prompting a “precautionary closure” that lasted about two hours.
From the airport, hundreds of individuals moved in a procession to escort the car carrying the physique to the stadium, about 10km (six miles) from town centre.
Due to the unexpectedly giant crowds, the general public viewing ceremony for Odinga’s physique was moved to Nairobi’s Moi Worldwide Sports activities Centre within the Kasarani neighbourhood, quite than contained in the parliament constructing the place it was initially scheduled to happen.
The convoy arrived to a packed stadium, with extra folks ready outdoors.
Minutes afterwards, a big crowd breached a gate within the area, prompting the police to fireplace tear gasoline. Lots of mourners rushed in direction of the exits in response.
A BBC reporter on the scene additionally noticed males in civilian clothes beating protesters with batons.
Not less than three folks have been visibly injured and one had a severe head wound, the AFP information company reported.
After the chaos settled, dignitaries and authorities officers – together with Kenyan President William Ruto – have been in a position to observe the coffin, befopre the general public viewing started.
A stream of supporters had earlier gathered at Lee Funeral Dwelling, the place the physique was first anticipated, and round parliament.
“I got here right here at six within the morning. Now we have been on the airport to welcome Baba [Odinga’s nickname],” one mourner had advised the BBC close to the airport.
“We’re unhappy, we’ve got been left as orphans. He’s our father.”
Motorbike rider William Otieno Adoyo stated he was a “Baba die-hard”.
“We wish to see Baba, how do we all know it is him within the casket? Allow them to present us and we’ll be contented,” he advised the BBC.
Mourners have been carrying twigs and palm branches, an emblem of mourning and grief among the many Luo ethnic group that Odinga belonged to.
The state funeral might be held on the Nyayo Nationwide Stadium in Nairobi on Friday and on Saturday his physique might be transported to Kisumu, a metropolis in western Kenya on the shores of Lake Victoria – his political stronghold.
Members of the general public will get an opportunity to view the physique earlier than he’s buried on Sunday at his farm in Bondo, about 60km west of Kisumu.
In keeping with the household, it was Odinga’s want to be laid to relaxation throughout the shortest time attainable, ideally inside 72 hours.
The 80-year-old former prime minister collapsed throughout a morning stroll in India on Wednesday morning and he was taken to Devamatha Hospital, about 50km (30 miles) east of the port metropolis of Kochi.
A seven-day interval of mourning has been declared. Odinga will even be accorded a state funeral with full navy honours, President Ruto stated.
He was towering determine in Kenyan politics and for a few years was the nation’s essential opposition chief, shedding 5 presidential campaigns, most not too long ago three years in the past.
Odinga repeatedly stated he was cheated of victory, citing the manipulation of votes.
Further reporting by Akisa Wandera and Basillioh Rukanga in Nairobi
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