Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) is grappling with an influx of over 40 casualties admitted following a stampede at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, during the public viewing of the late opposition leader Raila Odinga's body. Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah, who visited the facility on Sunday evening, October 19, 2025, highlighted the immense pressure on medical staff and limited resources.

The stampede, which occurred on Thursday, October 16, 2025, reportedly led to one fatality among those admitted to KNH, according to Senator Omtatah's statement. The hospital's emergency and accident unit has been under significant strain since the victims began arriving.

Medical Costs and Government Intervention

A key concern raised by Senator Omtatah is that many of the injured are still being asked to cover their treatment costs, with only a small number qualifying for emergency medical waivers under the current framework. He has pledged to advocate for immediate government intervention to ensure all victims receive adequate medical attention without financial barriers. Omtatah urged the Ministry of Health to provide support to the victims and their families during this challenging period.

While KNH has a policy for waiving bills for indigent patients after extensive research into their backgrounds, this process typically occurs at the tail-end of treatment. In previous instances, such as the June 2025 anti-government protests, the Ministry of Health directed KNH to waive all medical bills for injured individuals, charging them to the hospital's Disaster Emergency Fund.

Emergency Response System Reforms

Beyond the immediate financial concerns, Senator Omtatah has called for urgent reforms to improve Kenya's emergency response systems and enhance hospital preparedness for mass casualty incidents. Kenya's history includes numerous major incidents, such as droughts, floods, fires, terrorism, and transport accidents, which often escalate due to a lack of integrated emergency services and resources.

Studies have shown that a lack of specific training for emergency services personnel, poor coordination in managing major incidents, and the absence of standard operating procedures contribute to increased morbidity and mortality among victims.

Context of the Kasarani Stampede

The stampede at Kasarani Stadium occurred amidst chaotic scenes as thousands of mourners gathered for the public viewing of the late opposition leader Raila Odinga's body. Reports indicate that police used tear gas and fired shots to control surging crowds attempting to force their way into the stadium, leading to panic and trampling. At least four people were reported to have died at Kasarani on Thursday, October 16, 2025, due to the chaos. An additional two deaths and over 160 injuries were reported at Nyayo Stadium on Friday, October 17, 2025, during a subsequent viewing event.

The Kenya Red Cross Society deployed teams to provide first aid and psychosocial support at Kasarani and along the procession routes.

What to Watch

The coming days will likely see increased pressure on the Ministry of Health to address the medical bills of the Kasarani stampede victims. Furthermore, the calls for reforms in Kenya's emergency response systems are expected to gain traction, potentially leading to policy discussions on enhancing preparedness for future mass casualty events.