Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga has condemned the teargassing incident that occurred on Thursday, October 16, 2025, at Kasarani Stadium during the public viewing of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga's body. He appealed for calm and dignity as Kenyans prepare to receive the body in Kisumu on Saturday, October 18, 2025, morning.

Speaking at a press briefing on Friday, October 17, 2025, Senator Odinga called on mourners to uphold peace and respect as they pay their final respects to a man he described as deeply loved by his people.

“I appeal to our people to be peaceful. I know the pain you feel, but this is not the time to make anything that could cause harm to our people,” Oburu Odinga stated, his voice heavy with emotion. “We want to behave with dignity. We want our people to respect this occasion because Raila loved them so much, and they should also treat his send-off with dignity.”

Senator Odinga urged Kenyans to avoid allowing emotions to lead to confrontations or unrest during the ceremonies planned for Kisumu and Bondo. “Let us not overdo this. Let us escort our brother in peace. When the body arrives in Kisumu, let us view the body peacefully,” he added.

Chaos at Kasarani

The condemnation follows chaotic scenes at Kasarani Stadium on Thursday, October 16, 2025, where police deployed tear gas to disperse a large crowd of mourners. The incident reportedly left several people injured and at least two dead. Reports indicate that the chaos erupted when thousands of mourners surged forward, attempting to access the VIP area where Odinga's body was being held for public viewing, and some began hurling chairs and stones at security personnel. Police resorted to firing warning shots and tear gas canisters to control the crowd.

The public viewing had been relocated to Kasarani Stadium from Parliament Buildings due to the overwhelming turnout of citizens eager to pay their respects. Earlier on Thursday, thousands had also gathered at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) to receive Odinga's body, which arrived from India, leading to a temporary suspension of airport operations as the crowd breached security.

Historical and Political Context

Raila Odinga, who passed away on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, at the age of 80 from cardiac arrest in Kerala, India, was a towering figure in Kenyan politics. He served as Kenya's Prime Minister from 2008 to 2013 and was a key architect of significant political, social, and security reforms. Known affectionately as "Baba" by his supporters, Odinga had a long history of advocating for multi-party democracy and endured imprisonment and torture during his political career.

Senator Odinga expressed particular disappointment over the use of tear gas, remarking, “I was disappointed yesterday because there was a lot of tear gas that was thrown around. I don’t really want to see Raila being teargassed in death; he has been teargassed enough when he was alive.” This statement alludes to Raila Odinga's frequent encounters with police tear gas during his decades as an opposition leader and champion of democracy.

Laws, Policy, and Governance

Kenya's Constitution, under Article 37, guarantees every person the right to assemble peaceably and unarmed, to demonstrate, picket, and present petitions to public authorities. However, this right is not absolute and can be limited by law in the interest of national security, public safety, health, ethics, and the rights and freedoms of others. The Public Order Act (1950, as amended) requires organisers of public assemblies to give police between three and fourteen days' notice.

The National Police Service is mandated to facilitate peaceful assemblies and is expected to adhere to international human rights standards and Kenyan law regarding the use of force. Court rulings since June 2024 have emphasised that police officers and their commanders can be held individually liable for violating these standards. Guidelines stipulate that the use of lethal and less-lethal force must be lawful, necessary, and proportionate, and officers should refrain from using tear gas, water cannons, rubber bullets, or live ammunition against peaceful protesters.

Stakeholders and Testimonies

The incident at Kasarani has drawn criticism from various quarters. Human rights organisations have consistently called for police to exercise restraint and adhere to human rights standards during public gatherings. The Kenya Red Cross confirmed that its teams responded to multiple injuries both inside the stadium and along major routes during the procession. Doctors Without Borders (MSF) reported attending to 163 patients and referring 34 others for further care during Friday's state funeral at Nyayo Stadium, where two lives were tragically lost in a stampede.

Risks and Implications

The chaotic scenes at Kasarani and Nyayo stadiums highlight the challenges of crowd control during large public gatherings, particularly those charged with intense emotion. The use of tear gas and the resulting stampedes raise concerns about public safety and the methods employed by security forces. Such incidents can further erode public trust in law enforcement and potentially escalate tensions during sensitive national events.

Timeline and Next Steps

Raila Odinga's body was transported to Kisumu on Saturday, October 18, 2025, for a public viewing at Jomo Kenyatta Stadium in Mamboleo, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM EAT. The convoy will then proceed by road to Bondo, Siaya County, where the body will lie overnight at the Odinga homestead. The final funeral service and burial rites are scheduled for Sunday, October 19, 2025, beginning at 9:00 AM EAT in Bondo, at Kang'o ka Jaramogi, next to his late mother's grave.

What to Watch

The focus now shifts to the ceremonies in Kisumu and Bondo, with authorities and organisers under pressure to ensure peaceful proceedings. The conduct of security forces and the behaviour of mourners will be closely watched. The government's response to the calls for accountability regarding the Kasarani incident will also be a key area of public interest.