Viewing of Raila’s body in Kisumu changed to Jomo Kenyatta stadium

The venue for the viewing of the body of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga in Kisumu has been changed from the Moi stadium to the Jomo Kenyatta Stadium in Mamboleo.

Speaking after touring the grounds, Kisumu County Commissioner Benson Leparmorijo said the decision was arrived at following consultations within the organising committee led by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki.

“There are a few cases of muggings and extortion within our city. That cannot be allowed in law because it's criminal. So we request that all our mourners just do it in a peaceful way and observe the law to the letter,” said Leparmorijo.

Kisumu City Manager Abala Wanga added; “We’re going to open at least three gates for the public, entrance and exit, and the VIP area will be controlled. And as we say, we expect rain, and we call on all the supporters of Raila Odinga to come and mourn, but not to be rude.”

The development follows a similar change in Nairobi, where the viewing of Raila's body was moved to Kasarani Stadium due to the overwhelming number of mourners at Parliament Buildings.

On Thursday morning, mourners had thronged the venue and Members of Parliament were forced to plead with the public not to breach Parliament, as Embakasi East MP Babu Owino and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna had to climb the gates to calm the crowd.

The numbers were already unmanageable at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) when Raila’s body landed in Kenya from India.

Roads to Lee Funeral Home, where the body was to be prepared for viewing, were also thronged, impeding movement.

At Kasarani Stadium, chaos erupted Thursday morning when thousands of supporters of the late former Prime Minister attempted to forcefully access the VIP staging area where his body was being held for public viewing.

The crowd seemingly got impatient and tired of waiting, and thereafter started hurling chairs and stones at the security guards who were manning the said area.

The ensuing melee, which occurred a few minutes past 3pm, forced police officers to fire in the air and lob teargas canisters at the thousands of people who had gathered at the stadium.

Raila will be given a four-day State funeral as per the programme released by DP Kithure Kindiki.