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A quartet of persons lost their lives in Nairobi when armed personnel discharged weapons and used teargas to break up huge gatherings at a sports arena where political figure Raila Odinga's remains was lying in state.

National Figure Honored

Odinga, who remained a major force in the country's governance for many years, succumbed on that day at eight decades while receiving medical treatment in India.

He campaigned vigorously for political pluralism, and we benefit from those liberties today because of his work.

Chaos Erupts at Venue

Countless supporters congregated on thoroughfares from dawn, with disorder occurring when a large crowd forced open a gate at the capital's primary venue, causing soldiers to fire in the air.

• Two people were shot dead at the venue
• Death toll later rose to four people
• Many people sustained injuries
• Authorities employed irritants to scatter countless mourners

Airport Incident and Government Building Confrontation

Earlier in the day, countless of mourners briefly stormed the city's air terminal, interrupting a ceremony where the head of state and dignitaries were accepting Odinga's remains with military honors.

This situation caused a temporary halt of airport operations.

Assemblies also overwhelmed surrounding thoroughfares and sought to penetrate the legislative building, where the administration had first arranged the open visitation.

Political Impact and Ethnic Backing

Although primarily recognized as an government critic, Odinga became senior minister in 2008 and also struck a political pact with the president last year in a career marked by shifting alliances.

He commanded passionate devotion among followers, especially in his cultural background based in western Kenya, many of whom believe he was denied the highest office by electoral fraud.

Numerous of Odinga's followers, who were unborn in 1991 when Kenya became a pluralistic political system, paid tribute to Odinga's work as an campaigner.