Approximately 100 people were treated after sustaining injuries during the chaos witnessed during the viewing of the body of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, the government has now revealed.
Addressing the mayhem at Moi International Sports Center in Kasarani on Thursday, October 16, Medical Services Principal Secretary Ouma Oluga disclosed that the individuals were able to receive treatment, despite reports that four people died.
Olugo announced as he pleaded with Kenyans to maintain order ahead of the burial of Raila on Sunday, noting that the government had put in place all the necessary measures to handle medical emergencies.
“We would like to request Kenyans to keep calm and maintain order. We are all mourning; we should maintain peace,” he said.
“Let us not be aggressive in our efforts. Yesterday, there was chaos at Kasarani, and people got injured. Approximately 100 people received treatment. Please, we do not want people to get injured again,” Oluga added.
Teargas at Kasarani
During the protracted body viewing at Kasarani, chaos erupted when the police lobbed tear gas at the thousands of people who had gathered there.
Footage obtained by Kenyans.co.ke showed Kenyans fleeing the stadium as tear gas smoke filled the stadium.
The tear gas caused a commotion as the huge crowd was forced to flee in different directions as police officers cleared the venue. Within minutes, the stadium, which had been filled to capacity, was virtually empty.
According to reports, the chaos began when some Kenyans in the stadium started throwing stones.
More clips showed individuals believed to be police officers attacking the crowd with sticks in an attempt to drive them away from the stadium.
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.
