In a tragic turn of events during the send-off for veteran opposition leader Raila Odinga (commonly known as “Baba”) at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani and Nyayo National Stadium, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has expressed sorrow and pledged immediate support for the families of the deceased. The party’s Secretary-General, Edwin Sifuna, described the deaths as “needless and unfortunate,” adding that “most of them were due to gunshot wounds.” His office is now actively “in contact with some of the families” and hopes to reach all affected households by end of day.
The mood at the stadiums was initially expected to be one of solemn farewell and solidarity, but the atmosphere turned chaotic as mourners reportedly suffered deadly gun-wounds and–in some cases–crush injuries amid frenzied scenes. According to Sifuna’s statement, the ODM has already extended its condolences and pledged support to bereaved families. He emphasised the party’s commitment to assist the victims’ families, saying: “We hope to have reached all of them by day end today.”
The phrase “gunshot wounds” is particularly alarming and has prompted questions about security arrangements at both venues. As the ODM steps into damage-control mode, critics are demanding a full investigation into what went wrong and who bears responsibility. The party’s public embrace of the families signals recognition of both moral duty and political risk.
Eyewitness accounts and circulating social-media footage depict harrowing scenes. At Kasarani, the view of a large crowd combined with sudden panic reportedly led to several fatalities from gunshots; at Nyayo, stampede-like movement has been cited as a contributing factor. While the exact number of fatalities remains unconfirmed, the ODM’s involvement underscores the gravity of the incident.
In his remarks, Sifuna spared no strong language, calling the deaths “needless,” thereby acknowledging a mis-handling of the event. This admission opens up potential scrutiny of security agencies and event planners. The pledge of support from the ODM—while timely—also places pressure on the party to deliver on its promise and ensure that no family is left behind.
Moving forward, key questions remain: Will authorities release a detailed report on the gun-wounds and crowd dynamics? Will there be accountability for lapses in crowd control or security? How will the ODM translate its pledge into tangible support? As families await contact from the party’s office, the public and media will be watching closely to see if the party lives up to its promise.
