AfriPulse
Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Secretary General Edwin Sifuna has revealed that his office is in contact with the families of mourners who lost their lives at Kasarani and Nyayo Stadiums during the send-off of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
In a statement released on Wednesday, October 22, the Nairobi Senator disclosed that ODM will extend the necessary support to the families, terming their deaths as needless and unfortunate.
While extending his condolences to the victims’ families, Sifuna expressed optimism that his office would be able to establish contact with all the families by the end of the day to determine the next steps.
“My office is in contact with some of the families who lost their loved ones during Baba’s send-off at Kasarani and Nyayo. Those were needless and unfortunate deaths, most of them due to gunshot wounds,” he noted.
Police lobby tear gas at the Moi International Sports Centre in Kasarani to disperse Kenyans who had thronged the stadium.
Photo
Azimio TV
Adding: “We have extended our condolences and pledged support in this tragic loss. We hope to have reached all of them by day end today.”
Bullet Wounds
Sifuna’s sentiments came after an autopsy done on Tuesday, October 21, confirmed that at least three mourners who lost their lives during the public viewing of the late Raila Odinga at Moi International Sports Center died from bullet wounds.
The developments were confirmed by activist Hussein Khalid, who received the body of one of the victims who was killed by a single bullet to the head.
In the wake of Raila Odinga’s death, thousands of mourners showed up on Thursday, October 16, to catch a glimpse of the former Premier’s remains.
While the initial viewing was scheduled to take place in Parliament, the overwhelming numbers forced the funeral committee to relocate the viewing to Kasarani, where the numbers proved too large for security agencies to contain.
Video clips circulating online captured hundreds of panicked mourners scampering for safety as sounds of gunshots dominated the stadium.
According to the police, chaos erupted after Gate 5 of the stadium was forcefully pushed, and massive crowds surged towards the venue, prompting officers to respond with gunfire and teargas.
Meanwhile, on Friday, during Raila’s State Funeral at Nyayo National Stadium, a stampede occurred as mourners queued to view Raila’s body.
Medical charity Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) confirmed that two people died in the stampede, with reports indicating that the stampede was triggered near Gate 5, where queues were redirected, creating a bottleneck and pressure that caused the surge.
MSF also reported that 163 patients were treated on-site at a field hospital that was set up at the stadium, while 34 were referred to hospitals.
Former Nairobi governor Mike Sonko has since committed to facilitate the burial expenses of the victims who died from the Raila State funeral fracas.
The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) officers escorting former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s body for viewing at the Mamboleo grounds in Kisumu on Saturday, October 18, 2025.
PCS
Source: Kenyans.co.ke | Read the Full Story…
