Kenya Tragedy: 2 Dead, Dozens Injured at Raila Odinga’s Funeral

A stampede at Raila Odinga’s funeral in Kenya left two people dead and dozens injured on Friday, as thousands of mourners rushed to pay their final respects to the late opposition leader. The stampede at Raila Odinga’s funeral occurred at Nairobi’s Nyayo Stadium, where a massive crowd had gathered to honor the man many called “Baba” — a father figure and freedom hero in Kenyan politics.

According to Doctors Without Borders (MSF), emergency responders treated over 163 injured mourners, with 34 people requiring hospital care. “Most injuries involved blunt trauma and fractures. Tragically, two lives were lost in the stampede at Raila Odinga’s funeral,” MSF confirmed in a statement.

A Nation in Mourning for Raila Odinga

The stampede at Raila Odinga’s funeral came just two days after his death in India, where the 80-year-old leader succumbed to a suspected heart attack. His passing triggered nationwide grief in Kenya, with tens of thousands gathering to mourn a man who spent his life fighting for democracy and justice.

President William Ruto, addressing the crowd at Nyayo Stadium before the stampede at Raila Odinga’s funeral, described Odinga as “a movement for change and justice, a man who gave his life for a better Kenya.” The peaceful ceremony turned tragic moments later as mourners surged toward the coffin, overwhelming security.

Witnesses described chaotic scenes as people were trampled and crushed in the rush. “I saw people fall, others screaming for help. It was terrifying,” said one mourner who survived the stampede at Raila Odinga’s funeral.

Chaos and Violence Ahead of the Funeral

The stampede at Raila Odinga’s funeral followed a deadly incident a day earlier, where three people were killed when security forces opened fire to disperse a crowd during a separate ceremony to view Odinga’s body. Rights groups, including VOCAL Africa, condemned what they called “excessive use of force against mourners.”

Families of the victims described the shootings as unjustified. “He was not disorderly in any way but he was shot,” said Vincent Otieno Ogutu, whose brother-in-law was among those killed. Photographs from the city morgue reportedly showed bullet wounds on the victims.

Human rights activist Hussein Khalid from VOCAL Africa urged police restraint following both the shootings and the stampede at Raila Odinga’s funeral, saying, “We don’t want to see more deaths associated with this funeral.”

Raila Odinga’s Legacy and the Road Ahead

The stampede at Raila Odinga’s funeral has added another layer of sorrow to Kenya’s mourning. Odinga, who served as prime minister from 2008 to 2013, was widely regarded as one of Kenya’s most influential political figures. He fought tirelessly for multi-party democracy in the 1990s and helped shape the 2010 constitution — a turning point in Kenya’s democratic evolution.

Supporters described him as “the father of freedom” and “the voice of the people.” Paul Oloo, one of the mourners, said, “I have freedom of speech because of Raila. He was the father — the reason I’m here today.”

The stampede at Raila Odinga’s funeral underscores the immense love and respect Kenyans hold for their late leader, whose death has left a deep political and emotional void.

Funeral Procession Continues Despite Tragedy

Following the stampede at Raila Odinga’s funeral, his body will travel to his home region in western Kenya, where more ceremonies are expected this weekend. Authorities are bracing for even larger crowds as Kenyans continue to pour in from across the country to bid farewell.

Odinga’s private burial is scheduled for Sunday, marking the end of a political era. His passing and the stampede at Raila Odinga’s funeral have sparked questions about succession in Kenya’s opposition movement, with no clear figure ready to carry forward his legacy.

A Painful Farewell to a National Icon

For millions of Kenyans, the stampede at Raila Odinga’s funeral symbolizes both the magnitude of public emotion and the challenges of managing such immense national mourning. Odinga’s death has united the nation in grief but also exposed the fragile balance between devotion and disorder.

Even in death, Raila Odinga continues to stir Kenya’s political and emotional core — a testament to his lifelong fight for freedom, justice, and equality.