Police lob tear gas to disperse crowd at Kasarani Stadium ahead of Raila Odinga’s body viewing

Paulette Mboga 16th October, 2025 03:26 PM

Caption:Tension at Kasarani as police fire tear gas to control crowds before Raila’s body viewing. VIDEO/K24TV

There was tension at Kasarani Stadium after police fired teargas to disperse mourners who had gathered ahead of the viewing of the late Raila Odinga’s body on Thursday, October 16, 2025.

The mourners had flocked to the venue early in the day, hoping to secure a spot inside before the gates were officially opened.

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The large crowd overwhelmed security officers manning the entrances, leading to confusion and pushing at the gates. Police were forced to use tear gas to control the situation and restore order.

Witnesses said the tear gas led to panic as people fled in all directions, trying to escape the choking fumes. Within minutes, the stadium that had been filled to capacity was left almost empty as police moved in to restore order. The confusion was marked by shouting and running as mourners, many of them emotional, struggled to find safety.

Chaos

Reports indicated that the commotion began when a section of the crowd inside the stadium started throwing stones towards the pitch.

Several videos from the scene appeared to show officers trying to drive people away, with others deploying tear gas to push the crowd out of the stands.

The crowd had gathered at Kasarani after organisers changed the venue for Raila Odinga’s public viewing from Parliament Buildings to the stadium, citing space and logistical concerns.

The event had been expected to start at 12:00 noon, but delays were reported after Raila’s body remained at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) for more than two hours before departure.

The late Raila Odinga’s body, which had arrived from India, made a slow and heavily escorted journey to Kasarani. Military officers and police controlled traffic along the route as thousands of Kenyans lined the roads from JKIA to Thika Road, many following the convoy on foot and on boda bodas.

Earlier in the morning, large crowds had also gathered at JKIA, with some managing to access restricted areas near the VIP section and landing zone before being pushed back by security.