Mother demands justice after son shot during Raila Odinga’s public viewing
A grieving mother is demanding justice after her son, Jidah Burka, was shot dead during the public viewing of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga at the Moi International Stadium, Kasarani.
Burka was among thousands of mourners who gathered at the stadium on Thursday, October 16, 2025, when chaos broke out as crowds attempted to access the venue to pay their last respects to Odinga. Witnesses say security officers fired tear gas and live bullets to disperse the surging crowd.
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“This is Boni Bori, mother to Jidah Burka, who was shot and killed at Kasarani Stadium on Thursday. She says her son told the family that he was going to bid farewell to Baba, but never returned home. She says she wants justice for her son,” human rights activist Hussein Khalid said in a post on X.
Speaking tearfully, Burka’s mother said her son was the family’s breadwinner and had left home to view Odinga’s body. She called on the government to explain why her son was killed, saying he left behind children who now have no one to support them.
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“Asubui ya leo ndio nilipata simu. Nikaambiwa habari ya mtoto wangu, nikaambiwa mtoto wangu hayuko. Kile najua mtoto wangu alienda kuangalia. Na sijui kwa sababu gani serikali iliiua mtoto wangu. Yeye ndo tegemeo letu, hatuna mbele wala nyuma. Ameacha watoto, wanasoma, hawana mbele wala nyuma. Serikali naomba haki ya mtoto wangu ipatikane. Kwanini mtoto wangu aliuliwa,” the mother said.
The incident at Kasarani was one of several chaotic scenes witnessed across the country following the death of Odinga.
At Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, thousands of mourners overwhelmed security protocols as they gathered to receive the body, temporarily paralysing operations. Police were forced to step in when sections of the crowd attempted to breach restricted zones to catch a glimpse of the casket.
A similar situation unfolded outside Parliament Buildings, where the body was scheduled to lie in state briefly. Crowds pushed through barriers in a desperate attempt to gain entry, prompting officials to cancel the public viewing over safety and overcrowding concerns.
Chaos erupted once again at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, as mourners clashed with police officers while trying to access the VIP stands. Security officers resorted to firing tear gas to control the crowd after a stampede broke out, leaving several injured. Reports later confirmed at least three deaths and dozens of casualties.
Tragedy struck again the following day during the state funeral at Nyayo National Stadium, where a stampede at Gate 5 claimed two more lives and left over 160 people injured. Many fainted in the commotion as the crowd surged forward to view Odinga’s body, forcing emergency responders to intervene with stretchers and oxygen support.
