NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) Heavy security measures have been established in Kisumu, Kenya's western city, ahead of the final public viewing of the body of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga. This comes after an unfortunate incident during the previous public funeral events, which resulted in the deaths of five individuals.
On Saturday, various security forces, including military personnel, police, and air surveillance teams, were positioned at the soccer stadium where thousands of mourners, having stayed overnight, eagerly awaited an opportunity to pay their last respects to Odinga.
Raila Odinga, who was aged 80 at the time of his passing on Wednesday in India, was a pivotal figure in Kenya and was recognized beyond its borders. He was a seasoned politician who was commended by numerous individuals, including former U.S. President Barack Obama, for his relentless advocacy for democracy in Kenya.
Odinga's death has led to an outpouring of grief from his supporters, who have consistently gathered in vast numbers since his body returned to the country on Thursday. However, the events have been marred by violence; police resorted to firing live bullets and tear gas during the first public viewing at the soccer stadium on Thursday, tragically resulting in the death of three individuals. Moreover, a stampede broke out following the departure of dignitaries from the funeral service on Friday, claiming two lives and injuring 163 others.
Amidst these circumstances, Ida Odinga, the widow of the late prime minister, appealed for a peaceful mourning process during the funeral service. Additionally, Oburu Odinga, Raila's brother, urged the mourners to avoid provoking the police into using tear gas or force. He poignantly stated, “Raila should not be teargassed in death. He has been teargassed enough when he was alive. Please let us not cause a situation where he is teargassed again.”
Throughout his career, Raila Odinga made five attempts to secure the presidency over three decades. Although he was never successful in achieving this goal, he is celebrated for his unwavering activism, which contributed significantly to transforming Kenya into a vibrant multiparty democracy. His body was laid in state at the Parliament on Friday morning, a rare honor typically designated for current and former heads of state.
Kenya's President William Ruto honored Odinga as a patriot and altruistic leader who played a crucial role in stabilizing the nation. Interestingly, Ruto had actively campaigned for Odinga during the 2007 elections, a vote that was highly disputable and led to widespread violence. Despite their rivalry in subsequent elections, including the latest in 2022, the two leaders managed to sign an agreement earlier this year, following months of anti-government protests, that resulted in opposition members being appointed to Cabinet positions.
