Several people fainted and were carried out of Mamboleo Stadium on Saturday, October 18, 2025, during the public viewing of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s body, as overwhelming emotions gripped mourners in his hometown.
Videos shared on social media showed distressed individuals being carried out of the stadium on stretchers by medical personnel.
Kisumu, which has always been Raila’s political base and home to his most devoted supporters, witnessed scenes of profound grief as thousands of residents turned out to pay their final respects to the man they revered as their own.
The stadium was filled with wailing mourners expressing their sorrow, while others celebrated Raila’s life through dancing, a traditional display of both grief and honor in Luo culture.
The emotional intensity of the occasion led to numerous cases of people fainting and requiring medical attention.
The Kenya Red Cross, which has been instrumental in providing medical support throughout the funeral proceedings, had teams stationed at Mamboleo Stadium ready to attend to those overcome by emotion or affected by the crowded conditions.
The humanitarian organization has been a constant presence throughout the four-day State Funeral programme, responding to multiple incidents across different venues.
Unlike the chaotic scenes witnessed at JKIA on Thursday and Kasarani Stadium on Thursday and Friday, the viewing at Mamboleo proceeded in a relatively orderly manner.
So far, no major incidents of chaos have been reported at the Kisumu venue, with security forces successfully managing the large crowds while allowing mourners the space to grieve.
The Kenya Red Cross has been deployed continuously since Thursday, responding to injuries and medical emergencies at multiple locations throughout the funeral proceedings.
On Friday, during the State Funeral at Nyayo National Stadium, the organization responded to a stampede that left many in need of urgent care.
“Our team in action at the Nyayo National Stadium following a stampede during the State Funeral of the Late Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga. Providing care, psychosocial support, and medical evacuations alongside other emergency response partners,” the Red Cross stated.
Raila’s body arrived in Kisumu on Saturday morning aboard a military helicopter, which was accorded a ceremonial water salute upon landing at Kisumu International.
The body was then transported to Mamboleo Stadium for public viewing, which was scheduled to run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., according to the official State Funeral programme announced by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki.
