Shops were looted on Wednesday, October 15, following crowds of Kenyans marching in Nairobi CBD to mourn the passing of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
What began as a peaceful procession to honor the fallen ODM leader quickly descended into chaos as goons infiltrated the mourners and began attacking traders and looting businesses that remained open in the Central Business District.
Hundreds of grieving Kenyans had taken to the streets of Nairobi CBD on Wednesday afternoon to mourn Raila Odinga, who passed away earlier in the day at the age of 80.
The crowd, many carrying whistles and twigs, danced through the streets in traditional mourning fashion, with some overcome with emotion, rolling on the ground, wailing, and tearing their clothes in expressions of grief.
However, the somber atmosphere was shattered when criminal elements infiltrated the peaceful procession and began targeting shops and traders.
Videos circulating on social media show chaotic scenes of people running in different directions as the looting began. Traders scrambled to save their merchandise and close their shops as the situation rapidly deteriorated.
The goons took advantage of the large crowds and emotional atmosphere to launch attacks on businesses, breaking into shops and making off with goods.
Law enforcement officers have been deployed to the CBD to restore order and protect businesses from further attacks.
The chaos erupted on a day when Kenya plunged into mourning following the death of Raila Odinga.
Raila passed away on Wednesday morning after suffering a cardiac arrest during a morning walk in India, where he had gone to seek treatment.
After his death, hundreds of Kenyans trooped to Raila’s residence in Bondo, marching with green leaves along roads and streets, bringing businesses and transport activities in the town to a halt.
In Kisumu, the situation was no different; businesspeople in Kisumu CBD voluntarily closed all business activities to mourn Raila. Wailing supporters led by hundreds of boda boda riders flooded the streets of Kisumu using motorcycles and whistles.
The residents, describing Raila as their hero, called on the government to suspend all state activities in his honour.
In Kibera, which Raila once represented during his tenure as Kibra MP, residents poured into the streets, wailing and chanting to mourn his death.
At Odinga’s Karen home, supporters flooded his home wailing and emphasising the importance of coming together to honour the former Prime Minister, who was widely celebrated for championing peace and national unity.
In an address to the nation following Raila’s death, President William Ruto declared seven days of national mourning to honour the popular national leader.
