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Four people lost their lives in the capital city when armed personnel opened fire and deployed teargas to disperse massive crowds at a venue where political figure Raila Odinga's corpse was lying in state.

Political Figure Honored

The politician, who had been a significant presence in Kenyan politics for many years, passed away on midweek at 80 years old while in hospital care in India.

He campaigned vigorously for political pluralism, and we experience those liberties today because of his struggle.

Chaos Unfolds at Stadium

Numerous supporters congregated on the streets from dawn, with mayhem breaking out when enormous throng forced open a barrier at the capital's primary venue, leading to military personnel to shoot skyward.

• A pair of persons lost their lives to gunfire at the venue
• Fatalities later rose to 4
• Scores of people were hurt
• Law enforcement deployed chemical agents to disperse thousands mourners

Airport Incident and Government Building Situation

Previously that day, thousands of mourners temporarily invaded the city's air terminal, interrupting a formal proceeding where the nation's leader and other officials were receiving Odinga's body with armed forces tribute.

This event prompted a brief stoppage of airport operations.

Crowds also overwhelmed adjacent streets and attempted to breach the legislative building, where the government had initially planned the public viewing.

National Impact and Community Support

Although primarily recognized as an opposition figure, Odinga became head of government in 2008 and also formed a agreement with Ruto last year in a career defined by evolving coalitions.

He generated passionate devotion among adherents, notably in his Luo community based in the country's west, many of whom believe he was deprived of the presidency by electoral fraud.

Countless of Odinga's followers, who were not yet born in 1991 when Kenya established itself as a multi-party democracy, expressed respect to Odinga's efforts as an activist.