Beautiful yet heartbreaking photos of Yvonne Akinyi, the wife of Vincent Otieno—one of the victims killed during the chaos at Kasarani Stadium during Raila Odinga’s memorial event—have surfaced online, stirring emotions among Kenyans. The images show a devastated woman overwhelmed by grief as she demands justice for her late husband, who was allegedly shot by police while attending the emotional farewell for the late former Prime Minister.
Speaking tearfully at the Nairobi City Mortuary, Akinyi said she was still struggling to accept the news of her husband’s sudden death. She described him as a peaceful and loving man who had gone to the stadium solely to pay his last respects to Raila Odinga, a leader he deeply admired. “He was not violent. He just wanted to see Baba one last time,” she said between sobs. Akinyi revealed that she received a devastating message about her husband’s shooting shortly after he left home, and moments later, her world fell apart.
Family members were seen comforting Akinyi as she broke down while viewing her husband’s body, unable to come to terms with the tragedy. Her grief captured the pain of many families affected by the violence that marred what was meant to be a peaceful national mourning event.
According to Vocal Africa, at least three people lost their lives when police fired bullets and tear gas to disperse crowds that had filled the stadium, eager to view Raila’s body. The organization told the BBC that the victims sustained gunshot wounds, although it remains unclear whether live ammunition or rubber bullets were used. Witnesses described scenes of panic and chaos as police and plainclothes officers reportedly beat mourners who tried to move closer to the casket.
Despite the tragedy, the memorial event continued under tight security. President William Ruto, First Lady Rachel Ruto, and other senior officials later viewed Raila’s body as the program proceeded, though the atmosphere remained heavy with sorrow and tension.
Human rights groups have condemned the police’s handling of the crowd, calling for a thorough investigation into the excessive use of force. They argue that the mourners posed no threat and were merely expressing their grief. The Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) and other civil society organizations have since demanded accountability from security agencies, insisting that justice must be served for the victims’ families.
Meanwhile, Yvonne Akinyi and other grieving relatives are pleading for truth and justice. They say their loved ones were innocent Kenyans caught in a moment of collective mourning and confusion. For Akinyi, the loss of her husband has left an unfillable void—a painful reminder of how tragedy can strike even in moments meant to bring a nation together.
Raila Odinga’s burial is scheduled for Sunday at his ancestral home in Bondo, Siaya County. As the country prepares to lay him to rest, calls for justice for those who died during his memorial continue to grow louder, with Kenyans demanding that the fallen mourners—like Vincent Otieno—be remembered not just as victims, but as citizens who paid the ultimate price while honoring their hero.
