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Four people perished in Kenya's capital when law enforcement shot and employed chemical irritants to scatter massive crowds at a sports arena where political figure Raila Odinga's corpse was on public view.

National Figure Remembered

The statesman, who was a prominent player in the nation's political landscape for a long period, died on midweek at age 80 while undergoing healthcare in the subcontinent.

He fought tirelessly for political pluralism, and we experience those liberties today because of his work.

Turmoil Erupts at Stadium

Numerous devotees assembled on the streets from dawn, with disorder breaking out when massive group forced open a gate at Nairobi's main stadium, causing military personnel to shoot skyward.

• Two people were shot dead at the location
• Fatalities later rose to 4
• Scores of people were hurt
• Police deployed chemical agents to clear numerous mourners

Airport Incident and Government Building Confrontation

During the morning, thousands of mourners momentarily entered the city's air terminal, disrupting a official event where the nation's leader and dignitaries were welcoming Odinga's body with military honors.

This event led to a brief stoppage of airport operations.

Crowds also occupied nearby roads and sought to penetrate parliament, where the authorities had first arranged the public viewing.

Political Impact and Ethnic Backing

While predominantly identified as an political challenger, Odinga assumed the role of prime minister in 2008 and also formed a alliance with the leader last year in a public service characterized by shifting alliances.

He generated strong loyalty among supporters, especially in his cultural background based in western Kenya, many of whom maintain he was denied the nation's leadership by election irregularities.

Countless of Odinga's mourners, who were not yet born in 1991 when Kenya transitioned to a multi-faction governance, paid tribute to Odinga's work as an campaigner.