Kenya continues to grapple with grief and unanswered questions following the tragedy that struck during the public viewing of the late Raila Odinga’s body at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani. What was meant to be a solemn national farewell turned into a scene of chaos, tears, and anger, leaving several Kenyans dead and many injured.
According to verified reports, the tragedy occurred when the crowd, overwhelmed with emotion and size, tried to push into restricted areas of the stadium. Witnesses recall moments of confusion as security personnel attempted to restore order. Tear gas was fired to disperse the surging crowd, but the situation quickly escalated, and within minutes, gunshots rang out.
When the dust settled, several lives had been lost, mourners who had simply come to pay their last respects to one of Kenya’s most iconic political figures.
Among those who lost their lives were Vincent Otieno Ogutu, 36, from Umoja 3; Evans Onyango Kiche, 40, from Njiru; Josfae Jida Burka, 42; and Josephine Anjao Akeng’o. Autopsy reports later confirmed that the victims died from gunshot wounds, some to the head and chest. Bullet fragments were recovered from the bodies and handed to the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) for forensic analysis.
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Human rights organizations have raised concern over what they described as “a disproportionate use of force.” The Kenya Human Rights Commission and other civil society groups have demanded transparency from the police and an independent investigation to determine who ordered the use of live ammunition on unarmed mourners.
Police have yet to issue a comprehensive report, but preliminary accounts suggest the fatalities occurred during a stampede triggered by the crowd’s attempt to breach the VIP area. However, the autopsy findings, which confirm gunshot wounds, have fuelled calls for accountability.
The families of the victims have been left devastated. Speaking to the press, relatives expressed frustration at the slow pace of investigations and the lack of clear answers. They described their loved ones as ordinary Kenyans, fathers, sons, and daughters, who went to Kasarani not for protest or politics but to honour a national leader.
The ODM leadership, under Raila Odinga’s party, met with the bereaved families to offer condolences and support. Party officials pledged to pursue justice and ensure those responsible are held to account.
“This was a moment of national unity and reflection. Instead, it became a moment of national pain,” one ODM leader said. “We cannot move forward without truth and justice for the victims.”
In the midst of mourning and political tension, former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko quietly stepped in to offer support. Without publicity or political grandstanding, Sonko paid all mortuary fees at Chiromo and purchased quality caskets for each of the victims.
He ensured that no grieving family had to borrow or beg to bury their loved ones, an act that brought dignity and relief in a time of deep sorrow.
Sonko’s gesture drew widespread praise across Kenya. Many saw it as a demonstration of empathy rarely seen in the country’s polarized political environment. His swift and personal intervention served as a reminder that leadership is not only about office or power, but also about compassion, action, and presence in moments of crisis.
“Leadership with heart,” as many described it online, became the phrase that captured his actions.
Even as Kenyans applauded Sonko’s humanitarian gesture, the broader debate about police conduct, public safety, and political responsibility continued to dominate public discourse. Rights groups argue that the tragedy underscores deep-rooted problems in Kenya’s approach to crowd management, particularly during highly emotional or political events.
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has promised a thorough investigation. Bullet casings and fragments recovered from the victims’ bodies have been sent for ballistic testing to determine whether the shots came from police-issued firearms. The families, supported by civil rights lawyers, have vowed not to rest until justice is served.
Analysts say the Kasarani tragedy has exposed the fragile balance between security control and civil rights in Kenya’s democratic space. The deaths of unarmed mourners during what should have been a peaceful farewell have reignited questions about accountability and the protection of human life in public events.
As Kenya mourns, one message rings clear: the loss of innocent lives should never be normalized. The Kasarani tragedy stands as a stark reminder that every national gathering demands careful preparation, responsible policing, and above all, respect for human life.
For now, families of the fallen, including that of Vincent Otieno Ogutu, await justice and closure. Their grief has become a symbol of the ordinary Kenyan’s vulnerability in the face of institutional failure.
Yet amid the sorrow, there remains a glimpse of hope. When leadership failed in one corner, humanity rose in another, through the compassion of a man who chose to act rather than watch.
