The family of 23-year-old Michael Okoth Okumu from Kibera is still coming to terms with his painful death, days after his body was identified at the City Mortuary.
Michael was among the five people who lost their lives during the chaotic public viewing of the late Raila Odinga at Kasarani Stadium, an event that had drawn thousands of Kenyans eager to pay their last respects.
A post-mortem report revealed that he died from a lack of oxygen and suffered multiple head injuries, pointing to the violent and tragic circumstances of his final moments.
For nearly a week, Michael’s family believed he was safe and busy at his carpentry job in Kibera. His mother had not heard from him, but she assumed he was working long hours as usual. It was only when her worry grew unbearable that she asked his brother, Patrick Omondi Okumu, to look for him.
The search led from police stations to hospitals, ending in heartbreak at the mortuary, where Patrick found his brother’s lifeless body.
Patrick described the injuries he saw, saying the doctor explained that Michael appeared to have been hit by falling stones and struggled to breathe before dying. The family said it was painful to think that their son, who had gone to honour a leader he admired, died in such a brutal manner.
The tragedy has raised serious questions about how the crowd at Kasarani was managed and whether police used unnecessary force to control the situation.
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has come under intense pressure to investigate and ensure that police officers who may have been involved in the chaos are held accountable.
Activists have called for justice, saying the deaths should not be forgotten amid the mourning of Raila Odinga. Vocal Africa Activist Khalid Hussein said it was disappointing that leaders who spoke so passionately during Raila’s funeral have since gone silent, leaving the families of victims to grieve alone.
He added that Kenyans must now stand together and demand justice for those who died and those still nursing injuries.
Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko visited the grieving family to offer his condolences and pledged to cover all funeral expenses. Speaking during the visit, Sonko emphasized that the victims were innocent people who had gathered peacefully to mourn, not criminals or demonstrators.
He urged IPOA to act swiftly, reminding the authorities that human life must be respected and protected.Michael’s death has left a deep void in his family. His brother Patrick shared that Michael had been the main provider for their sick mother and had big dreams for the family.
He wanted to develop their home in Alego, Siaya County, and often said he would only marry once he had ensured that his mother and younger siblings were stable. Sadly, those dreams were cut short.
The family is preparing to transport Michael’s body to Alego for burial.
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