Supporters of Linda Mwananchi in Kakamega refused to leave the venue after police lobbed teargas when Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna took the stage.
Addressing the crowd, Sifuna urged them to remain at the ground, assuring that the meeting would continue as planned. He also called on supporters to safely disperse the teargas canisters and refrain from throwing stones at the police.
“Zima hiyo kitu hapa wacha zako. Leo hatutakimbia tuko hapa hapa. Na kama umetumwa kuaribu hii mkutano yetu nakuonya. Utakufia hapa bwana. Utakufia hapa..” he grabbed the microphone from Babu Owino to announce.
The disruption follows assurances from Western Regional Commander Issa Mohamud that peace would be maintained and police deployed if necessary. Mohamud claimed he had not received formal notice of the rally from Sifuna, only learning about it through social media posts. He further alleged that armed goons were being transported to provide security during the event.
Tensions between Sifuna and the government reportedly stem from the recent Linda #Mwananchi tour in Kitengela, which left two people dead and around fifty injured. Sifuna accused the government of unleashing state violence and hiring goons to sabotage the rally’s stage and equipment. He singled out President William Ruto and Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen, claiming they are intolerant of democratic competition.
Despite the chaos, #Sifuna declared, “We shall not relent,” praising Kitengela residents for attending the rally despite intimidation. In response, CS Murkomen maintained that police had not received official notice of the protests – a claim Sifuna disputed, promising to present “receipts” of the notification for future events to prevent similar disputes.
Dear goons learn or perish!!
Huyu alitumwa kutupa teargas lakini alitoka hapa mpaka ICU kichwa ilikuwa inaekelewa mawe kuwekelewa🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/WO5BFufLHW— 𝗞 𝗔 𝗡 𝗚 𝗘 𝗧 𝗛 𝗘™🇰🇪 (@Realkangethe) February 21, 2026