Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah has called for urgent action to support victims of the Nyayo Stadium stampede, following confirmation that Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) received over 40 casualties from the tragic incident.
The stampede occurred during the public viewing and State Funeral of the late ODM leader Raila Odinga on Friday, October 17, where thousands of mourners had gathered to pay their final respects.
In a statement on Monday, October 20, Omtatah said the situation at KNH was dire, with overstretched medical staff working under immense pressure to save lives.
"Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) received over 40 casualties from the tragic stampede at Nyayo Stadium during the public viewing and State Funeral of the Right Hon. Raila Amollo Odinga and, sadly, one confirmed fatality," he said.
Omtatah, who visited KNH to assess the situation, praised the commitment of health workers but noted that the facility was struggling to cope with the influx of patients.
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"During my visit to the hospital, I met with the Head of the Emergency and Accident Unit and members of the medical team who have been working tirelessly to save lives. They expressed concern over the overwhelming strain on staff and limited resources as they respond to the crisis," he added.
Omtatah expressed concern that many of the victims were being forced to bear their medical expenses despite the emergency nature of the tragedy.
He pledged to seek immediate solutions to ensure no victim is denied care due to financial constraints.
"It is deeply worrying that many of the injured are still expected to meet their medical costs, with only a small number qualifying for emergency waivers under the current framework. I have undertaken to pursue immediate interventions to ensure that all victims receive the medical care they need promptly and without financial barriers," he further said.
Omtatah also used the moment to call for national reflection on Kenya’s capacity to handle large-scale emergencies.
He warned that similar tragedies could recur if systemic gaps in disaster response and hospital preparedness are not addressed.
"This tragic event, which occurred as the nation came together to mourn one of Kenya’s greatest sons, reminds us of the urgent need to strengthen our emergency response systems, invest in hospital preparedness, and support our overstretched health workers," he concluded.
Elsewhere, on Thursday, October 16, chaos erupted at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, after police fired teargas canisters at mourners who had gathered to view Raila's body.
Live coverage seen by Nairobileo.co.ke showed dramatic scenes as the stadium, which had been packed with thousands of mourners, was left nearly empty following the teargas incident.
Voices could be heard commanding "Get Out!" as panicked crowds scrambled for safety.
The incident occurred as police attempted to clear mourners from areas designated for senior dignitaries and government officials who were expected to attend the viewing ceremony.
Several journalists covering the event were injured during the chaos, with footage showing people lying on the ground with their hands covering their heads while others stepped over them in desperate attempts to escape the teargas.
Police officers were seen forcefully pushing people to leave the stadium as the situation deteriorated rapidly.
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