A tragic incident occurred on October 17, 2025, at Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi during the public viewing of the body of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga. Two mourners lost their lives, and at least 163 others were injured in a stampede near Gate 5, where the public had been asked to queue to view Odinga’s body.
According to police reports, the stampede occurred when the crowd surged uncontrollably. The incident resulted in a chaotic scene as emergency responders, including MSF East Africa, rushed to provide medical assistance. A total of 163 patients were treated at Nyayo Stadium’s field hospital, with 34 individuals referred to hospitals for further care. The majority of the injuries involved blunt trauma and fractures.
The stampede happened shortly after the official state funeral for Odinga had concluded, and most dignitaries had already left the stadium. President William Ruto, along with government and international leaders, had earlier eulogized Odinga, celebrating his legacy as a distinguished statesman. Tragically, this stampede was not the only fatal event surrounding the funeral. Three individuals had been killed two days earlier on October 16 at the Moi International Kasarani Stadium when chaos broke out between the police and mourners.
The confrontation in Kasarani occurred when an impatient crowd attempted to breach a VIP area where Odinga’s body was being prepared for viewing. In response, security personnel fired shots, killing three people and injuring around 100 others. The crowd had reportedly thrown seats and sticks at the officers, which led to the drastic decision to open fire. Medical officials worked tirelessly to treat the wounded, with some individuals receiving immediate care and being discharged.
The stampede and earlier shootings have further darkened the mood surrounding Odinga’s funeral proceedings. The late prime minister’s death had already drawn thousands of mourners, many of whom had gathered at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on October 16 to pay their respects as his body arrived from India, where he had died. The massive crowd at the airport led to a temporary suspension of flights for around two hours as mourners attempted to gain access to restricted areas, forcing authorities to impose a brief closure.
These tragic events have raised concerns about crowd management and safety during high-profile public events in Kenya, especially when dealing with large gatherings of mourners.
