Several Mourners Collapse During Viewing of Raila Odinga’s Body at Mamboleo Stadium

Several Mourners Collapse During Viewing of Raila Odinga’s Body at Mamboleo Stadium

There were heartbreaking scenes at the Mamboleo Stadium in Kisumu after several mourners collapsed while viewing the body of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

The atmosphere was heavy. Thousands had gathered early to pay their last respects to the veteran opposition leader. But emotions ran high, and tension filled the air as some mourners fell unconscious after seeing Odinga’s body.

Medical teams from the Kenya Red Cross and the Kisumu County Disaster Management Unit swiftly moved in to help. They administered first aid as the victims lay scattered across the stadium ground.

Footage shared online showed paramedics rushing with stretchers, trying to stabilize several people overwhelmed by grief.

One Red Cross official said,

“We had to attend to more than ten cases within minutes. The crowd was too emotional.”

Witnesses described a mix of sorrow and chaos. Some mourners screamed, while others broke down in uncontrollable tears.

“People couldn’t hold back their emotions. Baba’s passing feels unreal,” a mourner said as she wiped tears.

The situation worsened briefly when an unidentified man tried to breach the security line separating mourners from the restricted area where Odinga’s body lay.

Security officers quickly pounced on him before he could reach the casket. Armed personnel in military uniforms were seen escorting him out of the stadium as the crowd shouted.

“He just wanted to get closer to Baba one last time, but the police reacted fast,” another mourner narrated.

The crowd surged again as the commotion spread, forcing officers to tighten control. More police units were deployed to calm the growing tension.

Kisumu County officials later assured the public that security and medical personnel would remain on standby throughout the mourning period.

“We urge the public to remain calm. We understand the emotions, but safety comes first,” said a county spokesperson.

Despite the brief chaos, the public viewing continued under tight supervision. Thousands more continued to queue for hours to catch one last glimpse of Raila Odinga.

“We will stand with him until the end,” said an elderly man holding a small Kenyan flag.

Odinga’s body will remain at Mamboleo Stadium for viewing before being transported to his Bondo home in Siaya County for final interment.

His burial, set for Sunday, October 19, is expected to draw leaders, dignitaries, and supporters from across the nation.

As the sun set over Kisumu, songs of grief and unity echoed through the stadium. Mourners waved flags, sang liberation songs, and called out his name. For many, this was not just a goodbye—it was the end of an era.

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Several Mourners Collapse During Viewing of Raila Odinga’s Body at Mamboleo Stadium