Huge crowds of mourners in Kenya fled screaming after police fired gunshots and tear gas in a stadium where they had gathered to see the body of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
There are unconfirmed reports that four people were killed in the chaos as security officers sought to disperse the surging crowds.
It is not yet clear whether the police used live ammunition or rubber bullets in the arena, which is located in the capital Nairobi.
Odinga’s body was flown back from India, where he died on Wednesday morning, with thousands of people waiting at the airport. The public viewing finally began in the evening, after the chaos in the stadium had subsided.
The throngs of people at the country’s main airport forced the authorities to briefly suspend flights.
The authorities said mourners had gained access to restricted areas, prompting a “precautionary closure” that lasted about two hours.
From the airport, thousands of people moved in a procession to escort the vehicle carrying the body to the stadium, about 10km (six miles) from the city centre.
Because of the unexpectedly large crowds, the public viewing ceremony for Odinga’s body was moved to Nairobi’s Moi International Sports Centre in the Kasarani neighbourhood, rather than inside the parliament building where it was initially scheduled to take place.
The convoy arrived to a packed stadium, with more people waiting outside.
Minutes afterwards, a large crowd breached a gate in the arena, prompting the police to fire tear gas. Masses of mourners rushed towards the exits in response.
A BBC reporter at the scene also saw men in civilian clothing beating protesters with batons.
At least three people were visibly injured and one had a serious head wound, the AFP news agency reported.
After the chaos settled, dignitaries and government officials – including Kenyan President William Ruto – were able to observe the coffin, befopre the public viewing began.
A stream of supporters had earlier gathered at Lee Funeral Home, where the body was first expected, and around parliament.
“I came here at six in the morning. We have been at the airport to welcome Baba [Odinga’s nickname],” one mourner had told the BBC near the airport.
“We are sad, we have been left as orphans. He is our father.”
Motorcycle rider William Otieno Adoyo said he was a “Baba die-hard”.
“We want to see Baba, how do we know it’s him in the casket? Let them show us and we’ll be contented,” he told the BBC.
Mourners have been carrying twigs and palm branches, a symbol of mourning and grief among the Luo ethnic group that Odinga belonged to.
The state funeral will be held at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi on Friday and on Saturday his body will be transported to Kisumu, a city in western Kenya on the shores of Lake Victoria – his political stronghold.
Members of the public will get a chance to view the body before he is buried on Sunday at his farm in Bondo, about 60km west of Kisumu.
According to the family, it was Odinga’s wish to be laid to rest within the shortest time possible, ideally within 72 hours.
The 80-year-old former prime minister collapsed during a morning walk in India on Wednesday morning and he was taken to Devamatha Hospital, about 50km (30 miles) east of the port city of Kochi.
A seven-day period of mourning has been declared. Odinga will also be accorded a state funeral with full military honours, President Ruto said.
He was towering figure in Kenyan politics and for many years was the country’s main opposition leader, losing five presidential campaigns, most recently three years ago.
Odinga repeatedly said he was cheated of victory, citing the manipulation of votes.
BBC
