Mourners storm former Prime Minister Raila Odinga's Opoda home's gate/SCREENGRABTension gripped Opoda Farm in Bondo, Siaya County, on Saturday after sections of mourners forced their way into the compound of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
The incident unfolded as security officers battled to restrain hundreds of mourners who had gathered outside the homestead, desperate to gain entry.
Security around the home had been significantly heightened ahead of the arrival of Mama Ida Odinga and other family members, with military personnel, police guards deployed to keep order.
But despite their efforts to secure the gates, the surging crowd pressed forward, overwhelming the officers in a show of defiance.
The situation escalated when dozens of mourners attempted to storm the gate, chanting and pushing against the barriers.
At one point, the pressure forced the gate to partially swing open, allowing some mourners to squeeze through.
Several people managed to gain entry into the compound as security personnel struggled to push them back.
The officers, clearly outnumbered, appeared momentarily helpless as the crowd’s energy overpowered their efforts.
Inside the homestead, the scuffle intensified when one mourner tried to force his way into Raila’s house itself.
Military personnel restrain a man who attempted to gain entry to Opoda home/SCREENGRABMilitary officers and police quickly intervened, restraining the man and forcibly ejecting him from the inner compound.
The intervention, though effective in stopping the breach, underscored the challenges security faced in keeping order as emotions ran high.
The unfolding chaos prompted security personnel to take more drastic steps.
Officers moved to push the crowd further from the door entrance, creating a buffer zone to ensure that only close family members and selected relatives could access the immediate compound.
Still, mourners remained pressed along the perimeters, some climbing trees and walls to catch a glimpse of the proceedings inside.
The heavy turnout reflected the depth of emotion Raila’s death has stirred across the country, particularly in Siaya, his ancestral home and political stronghold.
In the meantime, several members of the late veteran leader’s family, including Mama Ida Odinga, Oburu Odinga, and Winnie Odinga, arrived at the home under tight security.
Ida's arrival marked the first time she had set foot at the homestead since the announcement of her husband’s passing earlier this week.
Dressed in sombre black attire and black spectacles, Mama Ida emerged composed but visibly moved by the gravity of the moment.
She was accompanied by her daughter, Winnie Odinga, also clad in black, alongside other family members who stood by her as she made her way into the compound.
