Families of mourners shot dead at Kasarani stadium demand justice

The families of the those who were shot during a scuffle that ensued at Moi International Sports Center Kasarani on Thursday are demanding justice.

Vincent Otieno Ogutu and Evans Kiche are among the three people who have so far been confirmed dead, with their families insisting that their love for the late former premier Raila Odinga was not a crime to warrant their untimely death.

The pain hit differently for Yvonne Akinyi, the wife of one of the three people who were shot dead on Thursday afternoon following a scuffle that ensued between the police and mourners at Kasarani.

The late Vincent Otieno Ogutu was among thousands who had turned up in overwhelming numbers to view the body of the former premier. He walked into the stadium alive, only for his father to later receive a call to collect his body.

The deceased’s father, Meshack Ogutu, said: “Nikapata kama mwili yake ishawekwa kwa gari nikaingia kwa gari nikatoa machozi mingi sana.”

Yvonne Akinyi, on her part, stated: “It was very painful because I know he was innocent.”

“He was not chaotic in any way, unfortunately he was shot and the saddest part is that the person who shot him shot him on the chest…the left side. I think it was a targeted shot not an accidental shot,” said Paul Nyando, the deceased’s brother-in-law.

The same heaviness is shared by the family of Evans Kiche. A 40-year-old father of three, Kiche was shot in the head.

His wife struggles to recount the moments of fear how she grew increasingly worried about his safety.

He had only stepped out from the restaurant where he works as a chef, just a few metres from the stadium — the chosen venue for the public viewing.

Brenda Akoth, his wife, said: “Saa sita I called my husband again nikamuuliza kwani hujatoka akaniambia I’m still asking my boss for the money. Nikamuambia ni sawa but make sure umetoka kabla Raila hajafika.”

“Kufika saa saba na nusu I called my husband again akaniambia anatoka nimpee tu dakika moja, after that nilipika hadi because I knew that my husband was coming back.”

That was the last time she spoke to her husband. Moments later, his phone went off and hours after, came the devastating news of his death.

“I was not fine and I called the number again immediately. Akaniambia we are very sorry the body of Evans iko city mortuary,” she said.

Juma Sande, Evans' cousin, said: “If you see how the body of the late is lying there at city mortuary, I can’t comprehend…the eyes are not there, I don’t know what happened. We are mourning our kin and we are so disappointed with the government.”

Stephen Ochieng, a relative, added: “We are going through a difficult moment, emotionally, financially, socially…hata tunashindwa tutafikisha aje mwili nyumbani.”

According to Vocal Africa CEO Hussein Khalid, three deaths have so far been confirmed — two of which have been positively identified.

He is now calling on security agencies deployed during this mourning period to exercise restraint and refrain from using excessive force.

“Please do not shoot, please do not use live ammunition. This is Nairobi, tomorrow people will be in Kisumu…we do not want to see more deaths. Evans and Vincent were innocent Kenyans who had just gone there to send off Baba yet they are no more.”