Nairobi, Kenya: Tension and grief filled the air at Kasarani Stadium on Thursday after one person was reportedly shot dead in a chaotic scene ahead of the public viewing of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s body.

Thousands of mourners had thronged the Kasarani International Stadium to pay their last respects to the veteran opposition leader. However, the atmosphere turned volatile as police fired teargas to disperse the surging crowd that had grown increasingly impatient.

Eyewitnesses reported clashes between sections of the crowd and police officers, with some mourners seen hurling stones in retaliation. Security personnel struggled to contain the swelling masses as many pushed their way toward the presidential dais.

President William Ruto, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, and several Cabinet Secretaries  among them Kipchumba Murkomen (Interior)  were already present at the venue, alongside dozens of political leaders from across the divide.

The violent scenes came shortly after a last-minute change in the funeral program, which shifted the planned public viewing from Parliament Buildings to Kasarani. The abrupt decision was announced by the National Steering Committee overseeing the state funeral arrangements.

Earlier in the morning, the Kenya Airways aircraft carrying Raila Odinga’s body landed at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) at exactly 9:30 a.m. The casket, draped in the national flag, was received by President Ruto, members of the Odinga family, and other dignitaries amid a somber mood.

Initially, the body was to be taken to Lee Funeral Home before being moved to Parliament for public viewing. However, sources confirmed that morticians and military personnel stationed at both locations were recalled after the venue change.

“At first, everything was set at Parliament Buildings, but the crowd was simply uncontrollable. The mortician and his team have now left in the military van for Kasarani,” a senior official at Lee Funeral Home told UkweliTimes.

Security at Kasarani remains tight, with thousands of mourners expected to file past the casket once the official state viewing begins. President Ruto, family members, and invited dignitaries will be the first to pay their respects before the general public is granted access.

By early morning, long queues had already formed outside Parliament Buildings, with mourners stretching along City Hall Way toward Parliament Road  many unaware of the venue change. Some were seen attempting to scale the perimeter wall to catch a glimpse of the motorcade carrying the late leader’s remains.

Chaos at Kasarani: One Dead as Crowds Surge Ahead of Raila Odinga’s Body Viewing