{"id":53370,"date":"2025-10-16T10:46:48","date_gmt":"2025-10-16T14:46:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/world\/kenya-police-fire-shots-and-tear-gas-at-crowds-gathered-to-see-body-of-ex-pm-odinga\/16\/10\/2025\/"},"modified":"2025-10-16T10:46:48","modified_gmt":"2025-10-16T14:46:48","slug":"kenya-police-fire-shots-and-tear-gas-at-crowds-gathered-to-see-body-of-ex-pm-odinga","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/world\/kenya-police-fire-shots-and-tear-gas-at-crowds-gathered-to-see-body-of-ex-pm-odinga\/16\/10\/2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Kenya police fire shots and tear gas at crowds gathered to see body of ex-PM Odinga"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>\n<\/p>\n<div data-article-body=\"true\">\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Huge crowds of mourners in Kenya fled screaming after police fired gunshots and tear gas in a stadium where they had gathered to see the body of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Several people at the arena, located in the capital Nairobi, were reportedly injured in the chaos as security officers sought to disperse the surging crowds.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">It is not yet clear whether the police were using live ammunition or rubber bullets.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Odinga&#8217;s body was flown back from India, where he died on Wednesday morning. Thousands of supporters had earlier travelled to the country&#8217;s main airport to receive the coffin, in an outpouring of grief that forced a brief halt to flights.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-3 right-3 size-10 md:size-[50px] lg:inset-0 lg:size-full lg:bg-transparent\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-0 right-0 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed inset-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p>A seven-day period of mourning has been declared [Reuters]<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The authorities said mourners had gained access to restricted areas, prompting a &#8220;precautionary closure&#8221; that lasted about two hours.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">From the airport, thousands of people moved in a procession to escort the vehicle carrying the body to the stadium, about 10km (six miles) from the city centre.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Because of the unexpectedly large crowds, the public viewing ceremony for Odinga&#8217;s body was moved to Nairobi&#8217;s Moi International Sports Centre in the Kasarani neighbourhood, rather than inside the parliament building where it was initially scheduled to take place.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The convoy arrived to a packed stadium, with more people waiting outside.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Minutes afterwards, a large crowd breached a gate in the arena, prompting the police to fire tear gas. Masses of mourners rushed towards the exits in response.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">A BBC reporter at the scene also saw men in civilian clothing beating protesters with batons.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">At least three people were visibly injured and one had a serious head wound, the AFP news agency reported.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Earlier, a stream of supporters had gathered at Lee Funeral Home, where the body was first expected, and around parliament.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">&#8220;I came here at six in the morning. We have been at the airport to welcome Baba [Odinga&#8217;s nickname],&#8221; one mourner had told the BBC near the airport.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">&#8220;We are sad, we have been left as orphans. He is our father.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Motorcycle rider William Otieno Adoyo said he was a &#8220;Baba die-hard&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">&#8220;We want to see Baba, how do we know it&#8217;s him in the casket? Let them show us and we&#8217;ll be contented,&#8221; he told the BBC.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Mourners have been carrying twigs and palm branches, a symbol of mourning and grief among the Luo ethnic group that Odinga belonged to.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The state funeral will be held at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi on Friday and on Saturday his body will be transported to Kisumu, a city in western Kenya on the shores of Lake Victoria &#8211; his political stronghold.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Members of the public will get a chance to view the body before he is buried on Sunday at his farm in Bondo, about 60km west of Kisumu.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">According to the family, it was Odinga&#8217;s wish to be laid to rest within the shortest time possible, ideally within 72 hours.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The 80-year-old former prime minister collapsed during a morning walk in India on Wednesday morning and he was taken to Devamatha Hospital, about 50km (30 miles) east of the port city of Kochi.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">A seven-day period of mourning has been declared. Odinga will also be accorded a state funeral with full military honours, Kenyan President William Ruto said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">He was towering figure in Kenyan politics and for many years was the country&#8217;s main opposition leader, losing five presidential campaigns, most recently three years ago.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><em>Additional reporting by Akisa Wandera and Basillioh Rukanga in Nairobi<\/em><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"mb-4 text-xl font-bold md:text-2xl\">You may also be interested in:<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"A woman looking at her mobile phone and the graphic BBC News Africa\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"295\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/X.EL2n7fcUDVmgCDCHEGmA--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTI5NTtjZj13ZWJw\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/bbc_us_articles_995\/c7a608b642136b2879dce57f6fb5d461\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-3 right-3 size-10 md:size-[50px] lg:inset-0 lg:size-full lg:bg-transparent\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-0 right-0 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed inset-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p>[Getty Images\/BBC]<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><em>Go to <\/em><a href=\"http:\/\/bbcafrica.com\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:BBCAfrica.com;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \"><em>BBCAfrica.com<\/em><\/a><em> for more news from the African continent.<\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><em>Follow us on Twitter <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/BBCAfrica\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:@BBCAfrica;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \"><em>@BBCAfrica<\/em><\/a><em>, on Facebook at <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/BBCnewsafrica\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:BBC Africa;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \"><em>BBC Africa<\/em><\/a><em> or on Instagram at <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/bbcafrica\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:bbcafrica;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \"><em>bbcafrica<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"mb-4 text-xl font-bold md:text-2xl\">BBC Africa podcasts<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><script async src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.yahoo.com\/news\/articles\/flights-halted-kenyan-airport-thousands-093803362.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Huge crowds of mourners in Kenya fled screaming after police fired gunshots 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