The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party led by Secretary General Edwin Sifuna has taken a significant step in reaching out to families of the mourners who lost their lives during the send-off ceremonies of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
On Friday, October 24, the Nairobi Senator announced that the party had hosted the families of Vincent Otieno Ogutu, Evan Onyango Kiche, Josfae Jida Burka, and Josephine Akeng’o at Chungwa House in Nairobi.
“We invited the families of the late Vincent Otieno Ogutu, Evan Onyango Kiche, Josfae Jida Burka and Josephine Akeng’o to Chungwa House today. They were among those killed in the course of mourning Baba at Kasarani and Nyayo Stadium,” Sifuna wrote on X.
“We extended our condolences and support on behalf of the entire @TheODMparty family, especially in the search for justice for these needless deaths,” he assured.
The meeting marks the party’s latest effort to comfort those affected by the tragedies that marred the national farewell for their former party leader, which saw several mourners lose their lives in separate incidents at Kasarani and Nyayo Stadiums.
The tragedy unfolded on October 16, when thousands of mourners thronged Kasarani Stadium to pay their last respects to the former Prime Minister.
Massive turnout overwhelmed security officers leading to fatalities and multiple injuries.
A day later, another tragedy struck Nyayo National Stadium, where a stampede occurred during Raila’s State Funeral with confirmed two deaths and over 160 injuries, bringing the total number of fatalities from the two venues to at least five.
As investigations continue, the meeting at Chungwa House signals a coordinated effort by the ODM to keep attention on the victims’ plight and ensure their stories remain central in the national conversation surrounding Raila Odinga’s historic farewell.
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