At least two mourners were Friday killed in a stampede as a group pushed to view the body of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga at the Nyayo Stadium, Nairobi.
Police and medics said 163 others were injured in the incident.
At least 34 of them were referred to hospitals for further treatment while the rest were discharged.
Police said the stampede happened near gate five where a group of mourners had been told to queue to be able to view the body.
A crowd surged causing a stampede that left 163 people injured.
MSF East Africa said they and other service providers treated 163 patients at Nyayo Stadium and referred 34 .
“Most had blunt trauma and fractures. Two lives lost in the stampede today,” MSF said.
Nairobi police boss George Seda said the victims were attended to by emergency service providers present.
“Two of the victims succumbed while others are in stable condition,” he said.
The incident happened after the official State Funeral had taken place and most dignitaries had left the stadium.
President William Ruto led government officials and other international leaders in the event.
The deaths increased to five, the number of those killed in the funeral event of Odinga since Thursday when the body arrived from India where he died.
On Thursday October 16, three people were shot and killed at the Moi International Kasarani Stadium in a confrontation between police and mourners.
Medical officials said they attended to at least 100 people who were injured in the chaos.
Medical services Principal Secretary Ouma Oluga said some of the injured were treated and discharged.
Chaos broke out after a crowd ran impatient and tried to breach a VIP place where the body was being prepared for viewing.
The crowd threw seats and sticks at the security personnel manning the area forcing the officers to open fire.
Odinga, a giant figure on Kenya’s political scene, died in India on Wednesday.
His body arrived at the Jomo Kenyatta International AirPort on Thursday morning, where the authorities were forced to briefly suspend flights because of the huge crowds gathered there.
Mourners had gained access to restricted areas, prompting a “precautionary closure” that lasted about two hours.
From the airport, thousands of people moved in a procession to escort the vehicle carrying the body to the stadium, about 30 kilometers from the airport.
Because of the unexpectedly large crowds, the public viewing ceremony for Odinga’s body was moved to Moi International Sports Centre in the Kasarani rather than inside the parliament building where it was initially scheduled to take place.
Mourners had gained access to restricted areas, prompting a “precautionary closure” that lasted about two hours.
From the airport, thousands of people moved in a procession to escort the vehicle carrying the body to the stadium, about 30 kilometers from the airport.
Because of the unexpectedly large crowds, the public viewing ceremony for Odinga’s body was moved to Moi International Sports Centre in the Kasarani rather than inside the parliament building where it was initially scheduled to take place.
The convoy arrived to a packed stadium two hours late, with more people waiting outside.
Minutes afterwards, a large crowd breached a gate in the arena, prompting the police to fire tear gas.
Masses of mourners rushed towards the exits in response.
After the chaos settled, dignitaries and government officials – including President William Ruto – were able to observe the coffin, before the public viewing began for a few hours. Mourners have been
carrying branches and palm fronds, a symbol of mourning and grief among the Luo ethnic group to which Odinga belonged.
On Saturday his body will be transported to Kisumu, a city which is his political stronghold.
Members of the public will get a chance to view the body before he is buried on Sunday at his farm in Bondo, about 100 kilometers west of Kisumu.
According to the family, it was Odinga’s wish to be laid to rest within the shortest time possible, ideally within 72 hours.
The 80-year-old former prime minister collapsed during a morning walk in India on Wednesday morning and he was taken to Devamatha Hospital, about 50 kilometers east of the port city of Kochi.
A seven-day period of mourning has been declared.
Odinga was towering figure in Kenyan politics and for many years was the country’s main opposition leader, losing five presidential campaigns, most recently three years ago.
Odinga said he was cheated of victory, citing the manipulation of votes.
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