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Heavy security has been deployed in Kenya’s western city of Kisumu ahead of the last public viewing of the body of the former prime minister. Raila OdingaFollowing the death of five people in the last two public funeral programmes.
Military officers, regular police and aerial surveillance teams were present at the football stadium on Saturday, where thousands of mourners remained overnight waiting for the chance to view Odinga’s body.
Odinga was a respected and important figure in Kenya and beyond, an experienced politician who was admired by many, including former US President Barack ObamaFor his fight for democracy.
He died on Wednesday India At the age of 80, he is expected to be buried at his rural home in Bondo, western Kenya, on Sunday.
Supporters of Odinga, known for his passion and resilience, have been turning out by the thousands since his body arrived in the country on Thursday.
Police Gunshots and tear gas were fired during the first public demonstration at a football stadium on Thursday in confrontations that left three people dead.
On Friday, a stampede broke out soon after the dignitaries left the state funeral site, killing two people and injuring 163 others.
Odinga’s widow, Ida, had appealed during the service for Kenyans to mourn peacefully.
His brother, Oburu, called on mourners not to give the police any reason to use tear gas or force.
“Tear gas should not be fired on Raila when he dies. Enough tear gas has been fired on him when he was alive. Please let us not create a situation where tear gas is fired on him again,” he said.
Odinga ran for President of Kenya five times over three decades, and although he never succeeded in becoming president, he is revered for a life of activism that helped move Kenya toward becoming a vibrant multi-party democracy.
Odinga’s body lay in state in Parliament on Friday morning before the funeral, an honor reserved only for presidents and former presidents.
Kenyan President William Ruto praised him as a patriotic and selfless politician who helped keep the country stable.
Ruto campaigned for Odinga in 2007 – a disputed election marred by violence. The two men were rivals in subsequent elections, including the recent election in 2022.
After months of anti-government protests, the two leaders signed an agreement this year under which opposition party members were appointed to cabinet posts.