By Enyichukwu Enemanna
A huge crowd who gathered to see the body of Kenya’s former Prime Minister Raila Odinga were on Thursday fired teargas in the stadium, leaving them scout for safety.
Several people were reportedly injured in the sporting arena, located in the capital Nairobi in the ensuing chaos as security officers made efforts to control a crowd that surpassed expectation.
Odinga’s body was flown back from India, where he died on Wednesday morning, with thousands of people waiting at the airport to pay their last respect.
The public viewing finally began later after the chaos in the stadium was brought under control.
Earlier at the airport, flights were briefly suspended after mourners gained access to restricted areas, prompting a “precautionary closure” that lasted about two hours.
Thousands of people moved in a procession from the airport to escort the vehicle carrying Odinga’s body to the stadium, about 10km from the city centre.
The viewing ceremony earlier planned to hold at the parliamentary building was moved to Nairobi’s Moi International Sports Centre in the Kasarani neighbourhood as a result of unexpected crowd that came out.
Few minutes after the arrival of the body, crowd breached a gate in the arena, prompting the police to fire tear gas. A large crowd of mourners rushed towards the exits following the tensed environment.
Local media reported that security officials in civilian clothing were beating mourners with batons. According to AFP news agency, at least three people were visibly injured and one had a serious head wound.
After the chaos settled, dignitaries and government officials, including Kenyan President William Ruto were able to observe the coffin, before the public viewing began.
A stream of supporters had earlier gathered at Lee Funeral Home, where the body was first expected, and around parliament.
“I came here at six in the morning. We have been at the airport to welcome Baba in reference to Odinga,” BBC quoted one mourner as saying near the airport.
“We are sad, we have been left as orphans. He is our father”.
