Teargas hits rally as opposition leaders push on in Kakamega

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A political rally under the Linda Mwananchi banner was briefly thrown into chaos on Saturday, February 21, 2026, when tear gas canisters were lobbed near the stage at Amalemba Grounds just as Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna began addressing the crowd.

The rally drew large crowds of supporters, with leaders including Sifuna, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino and Siaya Governor James Orengo speaking on issues ranging from governance to upcoming elections.

According to eye-witness reports, tear gas smoke spread across the grounds, forcing some attendees to seek cover, but Sifuna called on supporters not to flee or retaliate.

“Vijana leo tusitupie polisi mawe, wacha watupe teargas sisi tusitupe mawe… Wakitupa teargas tunazima kama bhangi ya jana,” he said, urging youth not to throw stones and to stay peaceful.

Despite the disruption, the rally continued after a short pause, with supporters remaining at the venue.

“We will not allow intimidation to silence our voices,” Sifuna said as he resumed his address.

The situation briefly escalated when rally organisers and some supporters confronted a private vehicle carrying officers suspected of preparing to interfere with the meeting, leading to the initial teargas deployment.

Supporters reportedly kept police at a distance, vowing to secure their own event.

Babu Owino also spoke defiantly, addressing rival leadership within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and dismissing the disruption as politically motivated.

“Nothing will stop this rally. Not teargas, not hot water, not even the government,” he declared.

He said they would not be intimidated and insisted the rally proceed as planned.

“We won’t go anywhere today. They will kill us here,” he said to cheers from the crowd.

Governor Orengo used the event to emphasize his faction’s commitment to the political campaign.

He accused unnamed forces of trying to stop their mobilisation but insisting the movement would not be deterred.

The Kakamega gathering followed earlier tensions at other events, including a rally in Kitengela, where police used teargas to break up a similar opposition meeting organised by Sifuna’s group.

Local leaders had drawn heightened attention to security ahead of the Kakamega rally.

Western Region Police Commander Issa Mohamoud said authorities had not received formal notice of the event and expressed concerns about security, though county officials later welcomed the rally as a lawful political gathering.

The rally is part of a wider mobilisation drive by opposition leaders ahead of the 2027 general elections, with supporters engaging on issues including governance, economic challenges and political representation.