At least three people have died in Kenya after police fired gunshots and tear gas in a stadium where crowds of mourners had gathered to see the body of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
Prominent rights group Vocal Africa told the BBC that three bodies of those killed in the chaos had been taken to the city’s main mortuary. Local media has reported that a fourth person also died as officers sought to disperse the surging crowds.
It is not yet clear whether the police used live ammunition or rubber bullets in the arena, located in the capital, Nairobi. Vocal Africa said those who died had sustained gunshot wounds.
Odinga, a giant figure on Kenya’s political scene, died in India on Wednesday.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 branches and palm fronds, a symbol of mourning and grief among the Luo ethnic group to which Odinga belonged.
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.
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.
