KAKAMEGA, Kenya — Tension escalated at Amalemba Grounds on Saturday morning after a teargas canister was lobbed into the venue as supporters gathered ahead of the much‑anticipated Linda Mwananchi political rally led by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna.
Supporters had begun assembling in large numbers in the venue as excitement grew before the scheduled start of speeches.
However, a plainclothed officer lobbed a teargas canister into the crowd in an apparent attempt to disperse attendees before the rally could formally begin.
“Zima hio kitu,” ODM Secretary General Sifuna said. The meeting proceeded despite the attempts to disrupt it.
Government throws teargas to disrupt @edwinsifuna‘s rally at Kakamega, but amesema zima hio kitu, hatutoki. #EdwinSifuna #Kakamega #MimiNdioSifuna #SisiNdioSifuna #LindaMwananchi
Eyewitnesses said the sudden deployment created chaos as some supporters tried to flee the gas, while others regrouped and confronted the officers.
Sifuna, however, restrained his supporters from attacking the police.
Edwin Sifuna Amalemba Grounds Entry
Western Region Police Commander Issa Mohamud had earlier stated that police were not formally notified of the rally and warned that authorities would act firmly if the gathering violated the law.
Mohamud also alleged that individuals coming to the event might be armed — claims rally organisers dispute, insisting they followed due process in notifying authorities.