Three mourners killed at Odinga farewell were far from clashes, inquiry finds
Three mourners were killed by police gunfire during the national farewell for former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga at Nairobi’s Kasarani Stadium in October 2025. A BBC investigation found that the three were not involved in the confrontation near the VIP pavilion, raising questions about the police response and the deaths, for which no one has yet been held accountable.
The investigation analysed more than 1,500 images and videos and placed one victim about 60 metres from the scuffles, and the other two at least 160 metres away. Police fired live rounds after some mourners threw objects, including plastic chairs, towards officers; the interior minister described the response as restrained, while the BBC found no evidence that stones were thrown. Kenya’s police watchdog is still investigating, and forensic analysis suggests a specialist unit tasked with protecting the president may have fired the fatal shots.
- Three mourners were killed by police at Odinga’s farewell.
- The victims were at least 60 metres from the scuffles.
- No one has been held accountable; an investigation continues.
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Raila Odinga was a prominent Kenyan politician who served as Prime Minister. When he died, Kenya held a national farewell ceremony at Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi in October 2025.
During the ceremony, police opened fire with live ammunition after some mourners threw objects towards officers stationed near the VIP section. Three people were killed in the shooting, sparking questions about whether the police response was proportionate.
No police officers have been charged with the deaths, and Kenya's police watchdog continues investigating the incident. The case has raised wider concerns about accountability when deaths occur during major public events and security operations.
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The case for
The investigation establishes unambiguously that the three victims were 60 to 160 metres from any confrontation, not involved in any activity threatening police. Firing lethal weapons at uninvolved civilians attending a funeral is a fundamental violation of use-of-force principles and human rights law. The persistent lack of criminal accountability nearly a year later represents a serious failure of the justice system.
The case against
In chaotic security environments, officers face genuine pressures and must respond to perceived threats with limited real-time information. Whilst an outcome involving civilian deaths warrants thorough investigation, establishing criminal liability requires proving culpable conduct beyond the tragedy of a mistake made under extreme pressure. A judicial process should examine whether this crossed into criminal negligence or represents an unfortunate consequence of necessary police response.
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Originally published by BBC World as “Mourners killed by Kenya police at ex-PM’s national farewell not part of violence, BBC finds”.