Politics · Other · 13 hrs ago
BBC analysis finds three mourners killed at Odinga farewell were away from clash
Three mourners were killed when police fired live rounds at a farewell for former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga in Nairobi on 16 October 2025.
A BBC analysis of images and videos found the three were between about 60 and 160 metres from the scuffle near the VIP section.
The analysis found no evidence that they were involved in the clash.
Odinga had died the previous day while receiving medical treatment in India, and large crowds gathered to pay their respects.
The farewell was moved at short notice to Kasarani Stadium, where thousands waited in heat and confusion before some mourners threw objects at officers.
Forensic analysis suggests an elite police unit responsible for protecting the president may have fired the fatal shots.
Kenya’s police watchdog is still investigating, and no one has been held to account; the interior minister says the findings will help guide any legal action.
BBC analysis found that three mourners shot dead by Kenyan police at Raila Odinga’s national farewell were not involved in the clash that preceded the gunfire.
The victims were between at least 60m and 160m from the scuffles at Nairobi’s Kasarani Stadium.
The BBC reviewed more than 1,500 images and videos and spoke to relatives of some of those killed.
Kenya’s police watchdog is still investigating the deaths and police response, and no one has been held to account.
Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen defended the police response, saying officers had been under pressure and had worked for many hours.
- Who
- Three mourners killed by Kenyan police, including Evans Kiche, Vincent Ogutu and Jidah Burka.
- What
- BBC analysis found the three were away from the clash that preceded the gunfire.
- When
- 16 October 2025.
- Where
- Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi, Kenya.
- Why
- Police opened fire after some mourners pushed toward the VIP pavilion and a small section of the crowd threw objects at officers.
BBC Africa Eye investigation
Kenya’s Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen
Police conduct
BBC Africa Eye investigation
The three victims were not involved in the clash and were between at least 60m and 160m from the scuffles.
Kenya’s Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen
Murkomen said police action had been “restrained” after the crowd began throwing stones.
Use of force
BBC Africa Eye investigation
BBC analysis found objects, including plastic chairs, were thrown, but said it had no evidence they included stones.
Kenya’s Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen
Murkomen said police had been under “so much pressure” after working many hours without a break.
I don't think… somebody [was] sitting there and saying: 'Shoot now'. It is the judgment of the police officer at the spur of the moment.
The investigations are being done by an independent police oversight authority, we believe that their findings will help us take appropriate legal action
The people who we look at to protect us, these are the people that cause us this pain.
Raila Odinga died while receiving medical treatment in India.
Police opened fire at Kasarani Stadium during the national farewell, killing three mourners.
The BBC published its analysis, reporting that the three victims were away from the scuffles.
- Victims
- Three mourners killed
- Stadium
- Kasarani Stadium, Nairobi
- Distance from scuffles
- At least 60m to 160m
- BBC review
- More than 1,500 images and videos
- Investigation
- Kenya’s Independent Policing Oversight Authority is still investigating
Sources
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