NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 15, 2026 — A political rally led by embattled Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Secretary General Edwin Sifuna in Kitengela was on Sunday disrupted after police lobbed tear gas at supporters attending the “Linda Mwananchi” tour.
The rally briefly descended into chaos as canisters were thrown into the crowd, sending supporters fleeing before regrouping later to continue with the event under heightened security.
Earlier, while speaking during a church service ahead of the rally, Sifuna had warned of what he termed as a plot by unnamed individuals to infiltrate and disrupt the opposition-led grassroots mobilisation drive.
“They say that wherever we go, they will interfere with our meetings. I want to tell Kitengela, the secret is in numbers, just like the Gen Z youth showed us,” Sifuna said, referencing previous confrontations during similar tours. “We are not cowards, but we do not want people trying to disrupt our meetings. You protect me and I protect you.”
Sifuna, who also serves as the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition Secretary General, maintained that the Linda Mwananchi tours are focused on issues affecting ordinary citizens, including the rising cost of living, governance and accountability.
“I am the Secretary General of Azimio, which brings everyone together. We are forming a people’s alliance — 16 million votes strong,” he said.
The Kitengela rally comes days after an ODM National Executive Committee meeting convened by Acting Party Leader Oburu Oginga resolved to remove Sifuna from his position, escalating internal party tensions within the 20-year-old political outfit.
Siaya Governor James Orengo and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, who accompanied Sifuna at the rally, also accused unnamed actors of attempting to sabotage the gathering.
Despite the disruption, supporters later returned to the venue and the rally proceeded.
Police had not issued an official statement on the incident by the time of publication.
