- Police fired teargas to disperse crowds attending the Linda Mwananchi rally in Kitengela.
- The rally ended abruptly as leaders fled amid confusion and panic.
- Senator Edwin Sifuna accused authorities of harassment and disrupting a peaceful meeting.
- Transport along the Nairobi–Namanga Road was paralysed as crowds filled the town.
What began as a charged political gathering in Kitengela quickly turned chaotic after police lobbed teargas canisters into a crowd of thousands.
The incident occurred during the Linda Mwananchi rally, where Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna was introducing fellow leaders. Moments later, clouds of teargas filled the air, forcing supporters to scatter in different directions.
It remains unclear what triggered the police action.
As the first canister landed, Sifuna was heard urging supporters to stay calm, questioning who was behind the disruption. However, more teargas followed, making it difficult for the gathering to continue.
Within minutes, the rally came to an abrupt halt. Politicians were quickly ushered into their vehicles by aides before their convoy sped off toward Nairobi. Gunshots believed to be live bullets were also heard during the chaos.
Boda boda riders, residents and supporters who had filled the streets were seen running for safety as thick fumes spread across the town.
The unrest brought business to a standstill. Most shops in Kitengela had remained closed since morning due to fears of possible clashes. A few traders who had opened hurriedly shut their doors once teargas was fired.
Transport along the busy Nairobi–Namanga Road was also disrupted as crowds blocked sections of the highway during the rally.
Even after the main leaders had left, some youths engaged the police in running battles within the town. Officers continued using teargas to push back surging groups, while sections of the crowd remained on the streets chanting anti-government slogans.
Following the incident, Sifuna accused state operatives of frustrating the event. He claimed that earlier in the day, the rally’s dais and sound equipment had been destroyed.
Despite the disruption, the senator thanked Kitengela residents for turning up in large numbers, saying they had endured intimidation since morning.
The rally came just days after the Political Parties Tribunal reinstated Sifuna as Secretary General of the Orange Democratic Movement.
Before the chaos, several leaders had addressed the crowd, among them Siaya Governor James Orengo and Nyamira Senator Okongo Omogeni.
They told supporters that they were the legitimate voice of the party, dismissing a rival Linda Ground meeting that was taking place in Tononoka, Mombasa.
The leaders rallied behind Sifuna, vowing to stand with him amid ongoing political wrangles. Embakasi East MP Babu Owino and Saboti MP Caleb Amisi were also among those who spoke before the rally was disrupted.
Security had been heightened ahead of the event, with officers from different police units deployed across the town. Hundreds of youths had gathered as early as 6:30 am in anticipation of the afternoon rally.
Earlier in the day, Sifuna and his team had attended a church service at ACK St. Peter’s Orkeju Emanya Church in Kisaju, Kajiado County, before proceeding to Kitengela.
By evening, Kitengela was left tense, with uncertainty lingering over what led to the dramatic end of the political meeting.
