People’s Liberation Party (PLP) Martha Karua has condemned the use of teargas on mourners at Kasarani Stadium during the public viewing of the late Raila Odinga’s body.
The incident occurred earlier today when police decided to deploy teargas to disperse large crowds that had gathered to pay their respects.
What began as a solemn morning of national mourning quickly took an unexpected turn when the massive crowds that gathered to receive Raila’s body at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
The convoy carrying Raila’s body was rerouted, and the planned stop at the Parliament precinct was abandoned due to the uncontrollable human traffic.
The sheer number of mourners who thronged the streets and the Parliament precinct made it impossible to proceed with the planned public viewing at Parliament Buildings. it was moved to Moi International Sports Center, a venue believed to better handle the swelling numbers.
At first, the atmosphere at Kasarani was emotional but peaceful. Crowds filled the terraces, waving flags, singing liberation songs, and chanting Raila’s name. But as the numbers began to grow, the situation became increasingly difficult to manage.
Many were unable to access the designated areas due to overcrowding and limited entry points. When security briefly opened the gates to ease pressure, mourners rushed in, flooding the terraces and eventually spilling into the pitch.
The surge into the pitch is believed to be ignited by lack of clear communication from authorities.
Confusion dawned as many thought the casket would be brought out into the main field hence they simply pushed forward to secure a spot closer to the center.
Tensions, however, escalated when some of them breached the presidential pavilion. In response, police fired tear gas and gunshots into the air to restore order, leading to chaos and a stampede within the stadium grounds.
While the exact number of injuries remains unconfirmed, the situation prompted a temporary halt to the public viewing.
In a statement released shortly after the incident, Karua expressed her disapproval in a short tweet, stating, “Why would police use teargas and ammunition to disperse mourners at Kasarani Stadium?”
Karua also emphasized the importance of upholding the rights of citizens to mourn peacefully and without fear of retribution. She reminded the authorities that the late Raila Odinga had spent much of his life advocating for democracy and human rights, and that his passing should be marked with dignity and respect.
The post received a lot of support on X where users such as @Ajarateng’ commented saying “Martha Karua would have been President now!” and others like @Alex alex showing their emotions saying, “You are a truly phenomenal lady. We love you martha karua”.
The public viewing of Odinga’s body that had been temporarily suspended was resumed after authorities restored order at the stadium. A state funeral is scheduled for Friday, October 17, at Nyayo National Stadium, where regional and international dignitaries are expected to attend.
