In a bid to prevent further tragedies, Kenya has mobilized extensive security measures in Kisumu, a western city, for the final public viewing of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s body. This comes in the wake of five fatalities during the previous two funeral events. On Saturday, military personnel, police forces, and air surveillance units were stationed at a local soccer stadium, where thousands of mourners had gathered overnight to pay their respects. Odinga, a revered political figure in Kenya and beyond, passed away on Wednesday in India at the age of 80. He is set to be buried on Sunday in his rural hometown of Bondo. Odinga’s supporters, known for their fervor and determination, have been turning out in large numbers since his body was repatriated to Kenya on Thursday. The funeral events have been marred by violence, with police firing live bullets and tear gas on Thursday, resulting in three deaths. A stampede on Friday claimed two more lives and left 163 injured. Odinga’s widow, Ida, and his brother, Oburu, have both urged mourners to maintain peace and avoid provoking law enforcement. Odinga, who ran for Kenya’s presidency five times over three decades, is celebrated for his lifelong activism that significantly contributed to Kenya’s transition to a multiparty democracy. His body lay in state at parliament on Friday, an honor typically reserved for presidents and former presidents. Kenya’s President William Ruto, who once campaigned for Odinga in 2007 but later became his political rival, praised him as a patriot and selfless statesman. Earlier this year, the two leaders signed an agreement following months of anti-government protests, leading to the appointment of opposition party members to Cabinet positions.
Heavy security after deadly violence in Kenya as thousands turn out to mourn former PM Odinga
