Heavy Security Deployed in Kisumu Ahead of Raila Odinga's Final Public Viewing

Thousands of mourners have been gathering at a soccer stadium in Kisumu to pay their respects to former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who died at the age of 80 in India this week. The city is on high alert, with military officers, regular police, and air surveillance teams deployed to maintain order. Odinga's supporters have been turning out in large numbers since his body arrived in the country, despite a confrontation with police on Thursday that left three people dead and 163 others injured. The former Prime Minister's widow, Ida, had appealed for peaceful mourning, while his brother, Oburu, urged the crowd not to give police any reason to use force.

Key Takeaways:

  • Five people have died in the last two public funeral events for Raila Odinga, with three killed in a confrontation with police on Thursday.
  • A stampede occurred on Friday, leaving two people dead and 163 others injured after dignitaries left the venue of the state funeral service.
  • Odinga's body has been lying in state at parliament, an honor reserved for the president and former presidents, before being taken to the soccer stadium for public viewing.
  • Thousands of mourners have been gathering at the stadium, with military officers, regular police, and air surveillance teams deployed to maintain order.
  • Odinga's supporters have been turning out by the thousands since his body arrived in the country, with his widow and brother appealing for peaceful mourning.
  • The former Prime Minister ran for Kenya's presidency five times over three decades, and is revered for his life of activism that helped steer Kenya toward becoming a vibrant multiparty democracy.
  • Odinga's death has been met with tributes from around the world, including former US President Barack Obama, who praised him for his fight for democracy.

Statistics:

  • 5 people have died in the last two public funeral events for Raila Odinga.
  • 3 people were killed in a confrontation with police on Thursday.
  • 163 people were injured in a stampede on Friday.
  • Raila Odinga died at the age of 80 in India this week.
  • Odinga's body has been lying in state at parliament for one day.

Sources:

  • The Associated Press, "AP News" (exact wording from the original text): Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.