Sifuna condems deaths in Raila’s public body viewing at Kasarani Stadium
By Joel Masibo, October 22, 2025Nairobi County Senator Edwin Sifuna has condemned the recent deaths of mourners during the public body viewing of the former Prime Minister Raila Odinga at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, on Thursday, October 16, 2025.
More than two people were feared to have been killed and dozens injured on the particular day, after security forces fired on and used tear gas to disperse surging crowds at Kasarani Stadium, where thousands had gathered for a planned public viewing of the body of the former PM.
Exercise moved
The event was moved to the 48,000-seat stadium after huge turnouts at the Parliament Buildings in Nairobi Central Business District for public viewing. However, chaos erupted when mourners pushed through barriers and surged toward the area where the coffin was to be displayed.
Live video from the stadium showed large numbers of people pressing against gates and security cordons. Police and paramilitary units responded by firing tear gas and discharging firearms, in some accounts into the air and in others with live rounds, to try to control the crowd.
Reports later said at least two people were feared dead and several others wounded.
Sifuna speaks
Following the unfolding, Edwin Sifuna, who is also the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Secretary General, has said the killings of civilians at Raila Odinga’s body viewing were uncalled for. He has also confirmed to be in touch with the affected families amid the much neded help and justice.
”My office is in contact with some of the families who lost their loved ones during Baba’s send-off at Kasarani and Nyayo. Those were needless and unfortunate deaths, most of them due to gunshot wounds. We have extended our condolences and pledged support in this tragic loss. We hope to have reached all of them by the end of today,” Sifuna took to X on Wednesday, October 22, 2025.
Owing to the police shootings, the public viewing was briefly disrupted but later resumed under heavy security. Government officials led the viewing while security agencies provided limited on-scene updates as investigations were promised.
Raila Odinga’s death attracted mammoth crowds at Kasarani Stadium, Nyayo National Stadium and Jomo Kenyatta Mamboleo Stadium for public body viewing.