NAIROBI – Edwin Sifuna, the Secretary-General of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and Senator for Nairobi County, has issued a formal demand for the Kenyan government to provide immediate and comprehensive compensation to the families of those killed and injured in a tragic crowd crush. The incident occurred on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at Nyayo National Stadium during the public viewing of the body of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

In a strongly worded press conference held at ODM headquarters on Wednesday morning, October 29, 2025, Sifuna declared the event a preventable tragedy caused by systemic failures in security and crowd control. "The government had a solemn duty to ensure the safety of every Kenyan who came to pay their respects to a national hero," Sifuna stated. "What we witnessed was a catastrophic failure of that duty. We demand not only financial compensation for the victims but a full, independent inquiry to hold those responsible accountable."

The tragedy unfolded at approximately 3:00 PM EAT on Tuesday, when tens of thousands of mourners surged towards an entrance gate at the 30,000-capacity stadium. Eyewitness accounts and preliminary reports from St. John Ambulance indicate that at least five people were killed and over 40 others sustained serious injuries as the crowd overwhelmed the police cordon. Officials at Kenyatta National Hospital confirmed they were treating multiple casualties for injuries consistent with suffocation and blunt force trauma.

A History of Concerns

Concerns over safety at Nyayo Stadium are not new. Past incidents, including a fatal stampede in 2010, have previously raised questions about the venue's infrastructure and the capacity of security services to manage large, emotionally charged crowds. The National Police Service has yet to issue a formal statement on the specific crowd control measures that were in place, but sources suggest the sheer volume of mourners far exceeded official projections.

The public viewing was organized to honour Raila Odinga, a towering figure in Kenyan politics who served as Prime Minister from 2008 to 2013 and was a central player in the country's struggle for democratic reform for decades. His death on October 15, 2025, sent the nation into a period of profound grief, drawing immense crowds eager to pay their final respects.

The Path to Compensation

Sifuna’s demand for compensation places the spotlight on the government's responsibility towards citizens during state-organized events. Kenya's legal framework, including the Victim Protection Act of 2014, provides for the compensation of victims of crime, though its application in cases of public safety failures is complex. Precedents for state compensation exist, notably for victims of post-election violence and other state-acknowledged tragedies, but often follow lengthy legal and political battles.

Political analysts suggest the government's response will be a critical test of its commitment to public welfare and accountability. The incident has already sparked widespread public anger and renewed debate over the adequacy of police training and resources for managing major national events. Human rights organizations have echoed Sifuna's call, urging the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to launch an immediate investigation into the conduct of the officers on duty.

As the nation continues to mourn Odinga, the tragedy at Nyayo Stadium serves as a grim reminder of the potential consequences when public grief and inadequate planning collide. The government's next steps will be closely watched by a grieving public and a political opposition demanding justice for the victims.