Police were forced to hurl teargas to control an impatient crowd that was surging at the Kasarani International Stadium, Nairobi.
The crowd had turned up in large numbers to view the body of the former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, which had been retrieved from India.
A section of the mourners were seen attacking police
officers by throwing stones at them.
Thousands of mourners had gathered at the stadium to pay
their final respects.
A crowd was seen building up towards the presidential dais.
President William Ruto is among a host of national leaders
who had arrived at the Kasarani ahead of the public viewing ceremony for the
late Raila.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, Prime Cabinet Secretary
Musalia Mudavadi, Cabinet Secretaries led by Kipchumba Murkomen (Interior), and
several elected leaders from across the political divide had also arrived.
This came after a last-minute change to the original plan,
which had scheduled the public viewing at the Parliament buildings.
The abrupt shift to the programme was announced by the
National Steering Committee.
It was prompted by security and logistical concerns, with Kasarani offering a larger, more manageable space for the massive crowds expected.
Due to the
surging number of mourners, the viewing of the body of HE Hon. Raila Amolo
Odinga has been moved from Parliament buildings to Moi International Sports
Centre, Kasarani,” ODM Director of Communications Philip Etale announced.
“Members of
the public are advised to proceed to Kasarani where they shall have enough
space and time to view the body.”
The
procession arrived at Kasarani from the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport,
accompanied by supporters who are mourning their leader.
Initial
arrangements to move the body from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA)
to Lee Funeral Home for final preparations before being taken to Parliament
Buildings for public viewing were abandoned amid escalating crowd trouble.
Military
officials and morticians who had been stationed at Lee Funeral Home to receive
and prepare the body were instead instructed to head to Kasarani, where the
process will now take place.
Raila’s body
arrived on Thursday morning from India, where died following a cardiac arrest.
He was receiving treatment at the time of his death.
Draped in
the Kenyan flag, the casket was received by President Ruto and Mama Ida Odinga,
as the nation welcomed home the remains of the man widely regarded as the
father of devolution and a pillar of democratic struggle.
The body was
received with military honours before being placed on the gun carriage for
transport to Lee Funeral Home under tight security.
Aboard the
plane carrying Raila’s body was a high-level delegation led by Prime Cabinet
Secretary Musalia Mudavadi.
