Multiple people were injured on Saturday, October 18, 2025, following a stampede at the Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium in Mamboleo, Kisumu, where thousands of mourners had gathered to view the body of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
The tragedy unfolded as crowds surged toward the main viewing area, overwhelming security barriers and disrupting the somber procession. According to the Kenya Red Cross, emergency response teams were quickly deployed to assist the injured and coordinate evacuations for those in critical condition.
“Day 2 at Mamboleo Stadium. Kenya Red Cross response teams attended to a stampede incident that left several people injured. Working closely with other emergency response partners, those in critical condition were evacuated to Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching & Referral Hospital for further treatment,” the humanitarian agency said in a statement.
Makeshift medical tents inside the venue were soon overwhelmed as volunteers and medics battled to help those who had fainted from exhaustion, suffocation, or injuries sustained during the crush.
A Pattern of Chaos
The Mamboleo incident marked yet another episode of unrest that has marred Raila Odinga’s farewell ceremonies since his body arrived from India earlier in the week.
At Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, thousands of supporters defied security orders to catch a glimpse of the casket, briefly halting airport operations. Police were forced to intervene as mourners attempted to breach restricted zones.
Similar scenes unfolded outside Parliament Buildings, where officials were eventually compelled to cancel the scheduled public viewing over safety concerns following repeated crowd surges.
Just days earlier, on October 16, chaos erupted at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, as mourners clashed with police officers while pushing toward the VIP section. Tear gas was deployed to disperse the crowd, with reports of three fatalities and several injuries.
Tragedy struck again on October 17 at Nyayo National Stadium, when a stampede near Gate 5 left two people dead and more than 160 injured during the state funeral service.
Despite these recurring incidents, Kenyans have continued to turn up in overwhelming numbers to honour Odinga a man whose legacy of resilience, sacrifice, and decades-long fight for democracy has defined much of Kenya’s political history.
Authorities have since stepped up crowd control efforts ahead of Odinga’s burial in Bondo, Siaya County, urging mourners to remain calm and adhere to security guidelines to ensure a dignified and peaceful conclusion to the national farewell.
