Teargas disrupts Sifuna’s Linda Mwananchi rally in Kitengela

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Police disrupted the Linda Mwananchi rally in Kitengela, Kajiado County on Sunday, firing teargas as hundreds of supporters had gathered ahead of scheduled speeches by opposition figures.

The rally, led by embattled Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, had drawn large crowds near ACK St Peter’s Orkeju Emanya Church in Kisaju before the march into Kitengela town.

Mr Sifuna addressed early supporters, framing the gathering as a people‑driven engagement amid internal party disputes.

“I want to thank Kenyans for saying ‘Nyinyi ndio Sifuna’. You give me comfort that even if they finish me today, there will be 15 million Sifunas to protect Kenyans,” Mr Sifuna told the audience before the disruption.

The Nairobi Senator was removed by ODM’S National Executive Council (NEC) in Mombasa. He however got reprieve when the courts suspended his ouster,  pending hearing of his case.

Mr Sifuna also warned that opponents had threatened to disrupt their engagements, accusing political rivals — particularly within his party — of resorting to violence when debates did not go their way.

After the rally was broken up, Mr Sifuna posted on social media:
“Thank you Kitengela. In spite of all the harassment, intimidation and violence from this morning you showed up. They first destroyed our dais and sound equipment in the morning, the state goons have now teargassed a peaceful assembly and brought it to an abrupt end. We shall not relent.”

Before the intervention, the crowd had chanted slogans including “Sifuna usilale” and anti-government refrains as traders closed shops and youths gathered early.

Leaders expected to speak alongside Mr Sifuna included Mr James Orengo, (Siaya Governor), Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, Vihiga Senators Godfrey Osotsi (Vihiga), Okong’o Omogeni (Nyamira), and Richard Onyonka (Kisii).

While Mr Sifuna’s Kitengela rally was under way, another faction of ODM held its own Linda Ground event at Tononoka Grounds, in Mombasa.

Supporters and leaders loyal to the alternate faction gathered there for a separate political engagement, exposing internal divisions within the party as the 2027 election cycle approaches.

Police did not immediately issue a formal statement explaining the disruption.

Organisers condemned the use of teargas, saying it violated the right to peaceful assembly.