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Four individuals were killed in Kenya's capital when law enforcement opened fire and employed chemical irritants to break up massive crowds at a venue where statesman Raila Odinga's body was lying in state.

Political Leader Mourned

The politician, who had been a major force in the country's governance for decades, died on that day at 80 years old while in hospital care in the subcontinent.

He fought tirelessly for political pluralism, and we benefit from those freedoms today because of his efforts.

Turmoil Unfolds at Venue

Countless followers assembled on the streets from dawn, with disorder erupting when enormous throng broke through a gate at the capital's primary venue, causing military personnel to discharge weapons upward.

• Two individuals lost their lives to gunfire at the location
• Death toll later rose to 4
• Scores of persons got wounded
• Law enforcement employed irritants to scatter thousands grievers

Airport Incident and Parliament Standoff

During the morning, thousands of supporters briefly stormed the capital's aviation hub, disrupting a official event where the head of state and other officials were accepting Odinga's corpse with formal recognition.

This event caused a two-hour suspension of aviation services.

Groups also occupied adjacent streets and attempted to breach the legislative building, where the administration had originally scheduled the open visitation.

Political Heritage and Ethnic Support

While predominantly identified as an political challenger, Odinga became senior minister in 2008 and also struck a alliance with Ruto last year in a career marked by evolving coalitions.

He commanded intense commitment among followers, notably in his ethnic group based in the country's west, many of whom maintain he was prevented from obtaining the presidency by electoral fraud.

Many of Odinga's followers, who were not living in 1991 when Kenya became a pluralistic political system, offered homage to Odinga's work as an advocate.