A high-charged political rally led by Edwin Sifuna in Kitengela on Sunday ended abruptly after police lobbed teargas and reportedly fired shots in the air to disperse thousands of supporters who had gathered under the Linda Mwananchi banner.
The meeting, which drew a massive crowd from Kitengela and its environs, was part of the opposition’s ongoing grassroots mobilisation drive focusing on governance, the rising cost of living, and the state of democratic freedoms in the country.
However, the atmosphere quickly turned tense when anti-riot police officers moved in and ordered the crowd to disperse.
Eyewitnesses say tension escalated moments before leaders addressed the gathering. Police vehicles were seen arriving at the venue before teargas canisters were hurled into the crowd, sending thousands fleeing in panic.
Traders hastily shut down their businesses as clouds of teargas engulfed the area. Gunshots were reportedly fired in the air, further heightening the confusion and abruptly cutting short the rally.
By the time of publication, there had been no official statement from the police clarifying the reasons for the disruption or confirming whether any arrests were made.
Parallel ODM Engagement in Tononoka
In a significant political development, another section of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) was simultaneously holding a separate engagement at Tononoka Grounds in Mombasa.
The parallel events reflect the evolving political dynamics within ODM, as leaders pursue different mobilisation strategies across the country following the death of its party leader Raila Odinga.
Analysts say the optics of simultaneous gatherings could signal deeper strategic recalibrations within the party as the national political landscape continues to shift.
Sunday’s developments are expected to spark fresh debate over freedom of assembly and the treatment of opposition activities in the country.
