Police have fired tear gas at Kasarani Stadium, dispersing thousands of Kenyans who had thronged the venue.
Footage obtained by Kenyans.co.ke showed Kenyans rapidly dispersing as smoke from the tear gas filled the 48,000 capacity stadium.
The tear gas led to chaos erupting in the stadium as the huge crowd was forced to flee in different directions as police chased them away. Within minutes, the stadium which had been filled to capacity, was virtually empty.
According to reports, the chaos began after some of the Kenyans in the stadium began throwing stones towards the pitch, triggering the rough response from the police.
More clips showed individuals believed to be police officers attacking the gathering with sticks, in an attempt to drive them away from the stadium.
Unconfirmed reports pointed towards several people getting injured, with two people believed to have been shot dead during the chaos.
The crowd had gathered at Kasarani after the public viewing of Raila's body was changed to the stadium from Parliament, with organisers citing space and logistical issues.
The viewing was expected to take place from 12 noon, as had earlier been communicated. However, the body was held at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) for over two hours with little to no progress.
Raila’s body, which had arrived from India, embarked on an hours-long journey to Kasarani, as military personnel had to bear with the escort of Kenyans on foot and boda bodas all the way from JKIA to Thika Road.
A huge crowd had trooped to JKIA to receive Raila’s body from India, with the crowd even managing to breach the VIP area and landing zone, where Raila’s body lay.
At Kasarani, the situation managed to cool down with the mourners allowed back into the stadium. While some settled at the seats, others went onto the football pitch to receive treatment from on-site paramedics.
President William Ruto is yet to formally receive Raila's body, with the former PM's wife Ida Odinga also yet to see the remains of her late husband since its arrival.
