"Four people have been killed in Kenya's capital, Nairobi, after security forces fired shots and teargas to disperse huge crowds at a stadium where the body of the opposition leader Raila Odinga was lying in state. Odinga, a major figure in Kenyan politics for decades who was once a political prisoner and ran unsuccessfully for president five times, died on Wednesday aged 80 in India, where he had been receiving medical treatment."
"With thousands of his supporters on the streets from early morning, chaos erupted when a huge crowd breached a gate at Nairobi's main stadium, prompting soldiers to fire in the air, a Reuters witness said. A police source told Reuters that two people were shot dead at the stadium. KTN News and Citizen TV later said the death toll had increased to four, with scores injured."
"Though mainly known as an opposition figure, Odinga became prime minister in 2008 and also struck a political pact with Ruto last year in a career marked by shifting alliances. Officers inside Kasarani stadium, where security forces used teargas and opened fire to disperse crowds. Photograph: Daniel Irungu/EPA He commanded passionate devotion among supporters, especially in his Luo community based in western Kenya, many of whom believe he was denied the presidency by electoral fraud."
Security forces fired shots and used teargas to disperse thousands of mourners at Nairobi's Kasarani stadium, killing four and injuring scores. A huge crowd breached a stadium gate, prompting soldiers to fire in the air and police to respond with teargas. Earlier, thousands briefly stormed Nairobi's international airport, interrupting a reception for President William Ruto and prompting a two-hour suspension of operations. Crowds flooded nearby roads and attempted to breach parliament where the public viewing had been scheduled. Odinga, aged 80, died while receiving medical treatment in India, had served as prime minister in 2008 and ran for president five times.
Read at www.theguardian.com
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]