Two people have been confirmed dead and dozens injured following a stampede at the State Funeral of former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi on Friday.
According to Doctors Without Borders (MSF), emergency responders treated 163 people at the scene and referred 34 others to nearby hospitals for further care.
“Most injuries involved blunt trauma and fractures. Tragically, two lives were lost in the stampede,” MSF said in an official statement.
Chaos Erupts as Mourners Rush to View Raila’s Coffin
Witnesses said the stampede broke out moments after President William Ruto had delivered a heartfelt tribute to the late opposition leader, praising him as “a man who walked among us as a movement for justice and change.”
AFP journalists at the scene reported that a surge of mourners attempting to reach the coffin on the pitch led to panic, with several people being trampled underfoot. Some victims suffered broken bones and breathing difficulties as security personnel struggled to restore order.
Second Tragedy in Two Days
The stampede comes just a day after three people were killed in Kisumu County when police opened fire to disperse crowds during another public viewing of Odinga’s body.
Authorities have launched investigations into both incidents as Kenyans continue to mourn the passing of one of the country’s most influential political figures.
Nation Mourns a Giant
Raila Odinga, 80, died on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, in Kerala, India, after suffering a cardiac arrest while undergoing Ayurvedic treatment. His death has triggered a massive outpouring of grief across the nation, with millions paying tribute to the man many affectionately called “Baba.”
Odinga’s State Funeral drew thousands to the capital, including President William Ruto, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, foreign dignitaries, and global leaders who lauded his lifelong commitment to democracy and justice in Kenya.
