Chaos and pandemonium ensued in Nairobi CBD on Monday afternoon after police lobbed teargas at a rally led by Rigathi Gachagua and Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka around the Tea Room area in Nairobi Central Business District.
The incident happened when Kalonzo was introducing members of his party who had attended the rally with him.
Video seen by Uzalendo News Livestream show that immediately after one of the Wiper Party aspirants concluded speaking, the media coverage abruptly went dark for some time before a huge smoke was seen as supporters scattered.
Moments after, Gachagua and the other leaders are whisked away along River Road, with plumes of smoke behind them.
The opposition leaders were at a rally in the CBD after visiting the Inspector General of Police offices over police brutality.
“The police service exists to serve the people of Kenya, not to intimidate them. The law must apply equally to all,” the former Deputy President said.
After the disruptions, the opposition leaders accused the government of orchestrating the chaos.
Gachagua directly blamed Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, alleging that he ordered police officers to disrupt the rally.
The incident follows a similar incident in Kitengela on Sunday, when the ODM faction led by Secretary General Edwin Sifuna and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino held a rally in the area.
The meeting came to an abrupt end after police lobbed teargas, forcing supporters to flee for safety. Following the incident, two people reportedly lost their lives, while over 50 people sustained injuries.
However, Gachagua is not new to police attacks. He has on several occasions faced disruptions at his functions, with the recent incident happening at an ACK church in Othaya.
The recent attacks on the church were one of the reasons the opposition brigade went to see IG Kanja, although he was not at his office at Jogoo House.
The leaders vowed to visit again on Friday, February 20, to seek answers regarding the church attacks, even as police maintain active investigations into the matter, which is ongoing.
