Stampede at Raila Odinga’s State Funeral Leaves Two Dead, Dozens Injured in Nairobi

NAIROBI, Kenya — Two people died and dozens were injured on Friday during a stampede at Nyayo National Stadium as thousands of mourners gathered for the state funeral of Kenya’s veteran opposition leader and former prime minister, Raila Odinga.

The crush occurred shortly after the main funeral service, when crowds surged toward the area where Odinga’s coffin was displayed for public viewing. Medical charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said its emergency teams treated 163 people at the scene, with 34 taken to nearby hospitals for further care.

Authorities confirmed the two deaths, while local hospitals reported multiple admissions related to the incident. Officials said the injuries included fractures and blunt trauma consistent with a crowd crush.

The tragedy followed deadly scenes on Thursday at Kasarani Stadium, where police fired into the air to disperse mourners who breached a security gate during another public viewing. Local reports said at least three people were killed in that earlier incident.

Friday’s funeral at Nyayo Stadium drew thousands of mourners, as well as President William Ruto, senior government officials, foreign diplomats, and opposition figures. Many described Odinga as a symbol of Kenya’s democracy and reform movement, with the event marking the final national farewell before his burial in Bondo, Siaya County.

Witnesses said security checks and crowd control barriers were overwhelmed as mourners pushed forward to view Odinga’s casket, leading to the crush. Emergency responders and police moved in to evacuate the injured, while medics treated people inside and outside the stadium.

In a statement, government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura said authorities were “deeply saddened by the loss of life” and promised a full investigation into the incident. “We extend our condolences to the families affected and are reviewing safety measures at ongoing funeral events,” the statement said.

Civil society groups and human rights organizations have called for an independent probe into crowd management and security conduct during Odinga’s public memorials.

Odinga, 80, died earlier this week. His family said he had wished for a simple and swift burial in his rural home. Public viewings in Nairobi and Kisumu were organized to allow Kenyans to pay their final respects.

As the nation mourns, security agencies are reassessing protocols for upcoming memorial events to prevent further tragedy.

— Reporting by The Urban Gazette staff, with additional information from Reuters, AP, and MSF Kenya.