At least five people were reported killed on Friday after a peaceful demonstration in Nairobi, Kenya organized by Raila Odinga's supporters turned violent following a clash with the police. The incident started when the Police attempted to dispel supporters who had gathered to welcome Odinga back to the country after a trip abroad. The supporters had gathered around Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
In a statement issued by the Police, the authorities said "five people were killed by stoning in different incidences after having been caught stealing by enraged crowds."
Meanwhile, Odinga's party, the National Super Alliance (NASA) has described the report as false. The party held that after supporters gathered to welcome back their leader, the Police started shooting the people. It further claimed that the move may have been intended to assassinate Odinga.
The party made the claim in a tweet on its verified handle @CoalitionNASAKe. It read;
"This is how police reacted to Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga's welcoming party: live bullets on unarmed civilians, teargas, attempts on NASA leaders' lives; the reason why @NPSOfficial_KE is ranked the third worst police service globally #RailaReturns #Resist @IPOA_KE@thekhrc @HakiKNCHR."
The Police has since responded by stating that no live ammunition was fired during the altercation.
CNN reports that the "supporters of the Kenyan opposition leader and members of the NASA coalition have demonstrated before, marching through the streets of Nairobi in October following his decision to quit a presidential election rerun due to his belief in a failed election commission when he did not think it could hold a fair vote.
"The rerun was ordered by Kenya's Supreme Court after it invalidated the results of a contentious August 8 vote -- which gave victory to incumbent President Uhuru Kenyatta -- following a challenge by Odinga over irregularities."
