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A stampede at Nyayo National Stadium on Friday, October 17, 2025, claimed two lives and injured over 160 mourners during the public viewing of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga's body, highlighting significant crowd control challenges during national mourning events.
Nairobi, Kenya – Two individuals tragically died and 163 others sustained injuries in a stampede at Nyayo National Stadium on Friday, October 17, 2025, during the public viewing of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga's body. The incident occurred as mourners surged forward to view the casket after dignitaries had departed the state funeral service.
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) East Africa confirmed the fatalities and reported that their teams, alongside other emergency responders, treated 163 patients at a field hospital set up at Nyayo Stadium, with 34 individuals referred to hospitals for further care. Most injuries involved blunt trauma and fractures. The Kenya Red Cross also confirmed their teams provided first aid, psychosocial support, and assisted with medical evacuations.
The stampede at Nyayo National Stadium was the second major incident involving crowd control during the mourning period for Odinga. On Thursday, October 16, 2025, chaos erupted at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, during the initial public viewing of Odinga's body. Reports indicate that four people were killed in clashes between police and mourners at Kasarani, with security forces firing shots and tear gas to disperse large crowds attempting to breach a VIP area. Medical Services Principal Secretary Ouma Oluga stated that approximately 100 people were treated for injuries sustained during the Kasarani chaos.
Odinga, a prominent figure in Kenyan politics for decades, passed away on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, at the age of 80 in India, where he was receiving medical treatment. His death triggered a period of national mourning, with President William Ruto declaring Friday, October 17, a national holiday in his honour. The state funeral at Nyayo Stadium was a formal event with military honours, attended by President Ruto, other government officials, and international dignitaries.
The incidents at both Kasarani and Nyayo stadiums underscore the critical need for robust crowd management strategies during large public gatherings, particularly those of national significance. Kenyan law, including the Public Order Act, provides a framework for managing public assemblies, but effective implementation and coordination among security agencies and event organisers are paramount to prevent such tragedies. The government's State Funeral Committee, chaired by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, was responsible for the funeral arrangements, including security and public viewing protocols.
Witnesses at Nyayo Stadium described a sudden surge of mourners towards Gate Five, where a viewing queue had been directed, creating a bottleneck. This pressure led to panic and trampling. Odinga's brother, Oburu Odinga, appealed to Kenyans for calm, urging peaceful mourning. The Kenya Red Cross emphasized the challenging nature of responding to such a large-scale incident.
The recurring incidents of crowd mismanagement during Odinga's funeral events highlight significant public safety risks. Such occurrences can erode public trust in security agencies and event organisers, potentially leading to further unrest during sensitive national moments. The high number of injuries also strains emergency medical services. The emotional intensity surrounding the passing of a revered national figure like Odinga necessitates heightened vigilance and adaptable crowd control measures to prevent further loss of life and injury.
While MSF and police confirmed two deaths at Nyayo Stadium, the exact circumstances leading to the surge and the specific actions taken by security personnel to manage the crowd at that precise moment remain subject to ongoing scrutiny. Similarly, the full details surrounding the fatalities at Kasarani Stadium, including the precise cause of death for all victims, are still emerging. There have been varying reports on the number of fatalities at Kasarani, with some sources indicating three or four deaths.
Following the state funeral at Nyayo Stadium, Odinga's body was transported to Lee Funeral Home for preservation. It is scheduled to be airlifted to Kisumu on Saturday, October 18, 2025, for a day of public viewing, before being taken to his Bondo home for a night vigil. The burial is planned for Sunday, October 19, 2025, in Bondo, Siaya County, in accordance with Anglican Church of Kenya traditions.
Attention now shifts to the public viewing and burial events in Western Kenya, particularly in Kisumu and Bondo. Authorities will face renewed pressure to ensure stringent crowd control and security measures are in place to prevent a recurrence of the tragedies witnessed in Nairobi. The government's response to the investigations into the stampedes and the implementation of enhanced safety protocols will be closely watched.
