Security tightened in Kenya as violence breaks out at ex-PM Odinga's funeral events

Five people reportedly died in Odinga's previous two funeral events.

Heavy security has been deployed to Kenya’s western city of Kisumu ahead of the final public viewing of the body of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, after five people died in the last two public funeral events.

Mourners and supporters of Kenya's opposition leader and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga fill the stands of a stadium ahead of the arrival of his coffin to his home region in Kisumu. (AFP)

Military officers, regular police and air surveillance teams were present Saturday at the soccer stadium where thousands of mourners stayed overnight awaiting the opportunity to view Odinga’s body.

Odinga was a respected and significant figure in Kenya and beyond, a veteran politician lauded by many, including former U.S. President Barack Obama, for his fight for democracy.

He died Wednesday in India at the age of 80 and is expected to be buried Sunday at his rural home in Bondo in western Kenya.

Odinga’s supporters, known for their passion and resilience, have been turning out by the thousands since his body arrived in the country Thursday.

Police fired live bullets and tear gas, killing three people at a soccer stadium Thursday when a confrontation ensued during the first public viewing.

Odinga’s widow, Ida, had appealed during the service for Kenyans to mourn peacefully.

His brother, Oburu, called on mourners not to give police any reason to use tear gas or force.

“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,” he said.

Odinga ran for Kenya’s presidency five times over three decades, and although he never succeeded in becoming president, he is revered for a life of activism that helped steer Kenya toward becoming a vibrant multiparty democracy.

Odinga’s body lay in state at parliament on Friday morning ahead of the funeral, an honor only reserved for the president and former presidents.

Kenya's President William Ruto eulogized him as a patriot and selfless statesman who helped to steady the country.

Ruto campaigned for Odinga in 2007 — a disputed election that was marred by violence. The two men were rivals in subsequent elections, including the most recent one in 2022.

The two leaders signed an agreement this year after months of anti-government protests, and the pact saw opposition party members appointed to Cabinet positions.