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Four people perished in Kenya's capital when security forces shot and employed chemical irritants to break up enormous assemblies at a venue where statesman Raila Odinga's body was lying in state.

National Figure Mourned

The statesman, who had been a significant presence in the country's governance for decades, passed away on midweek at 80 years old while in hospital care in the Asian nation.

He campaigned vigorously for democratic systems, and we experience those rights today because of his work.

Chaos Breaks Out at Stadium

Numerous devotees congregated on roadways from sunrise, with mayhem breaking out when massive group broke through a barrier at Nairobi's main stadium, leading to military personnel to shoot skyward.

• Two individuals lost their lives to gunfire at the venue
• Casualties subsequently increased to 4
• Many persons were hurt
• Law enforcement employed irritants to disperse thousands grievers

Airport Incident and Parliament Confrontation

Earlier in the day, countless of mourners momentarily entered the city's air terminal, halting a ceremony where President William Ruto and other officials were welcoming Odinga's remains with military honors.

This event caused a two-hour suspension of flight activities.

Crowds also flooded surrounding thoroughfares and sought to penetrate parliament, where the government had originally scheduled the community homage.

Political Impact and Ethnic Support

Though mainly known as an opposition figure, Odinga assumed the role of prime minister in 2008 and also formed a political pact with Ruto last year in a career defined by shifting alliances.

He commanded intense commitment among followers, especially in his ethnic group based in the country's west, many of whom maintain he was denied the nation's leadership by electoral fraud.

Many of Odinga's followers, who were not yet born in 1991 when Kenya transitioned to a multi-party democracy, offered homage to Odinga's efforts as an advocate.