Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has stood his ground in Kakamega on Saturday as teargas was lobbed at the Linda Mwananchi rally, urging supporters to remain calm and resist confrontation with police even as the meeting was disrupted.
Sifuna, who was addressing the crowd from the stage when the teargas was fired, appealed to attendees not to retaliate or flee, telling them to avoid throwing stones and instead remain peaceful despite the provocation.
As the gas spread, some attendees attempted to flee.
The senator repeatedly asked supporters not to retaliate, telling them to remain at the venue and avoid clashing with police.
“Vijana leo tusitupie polisi mawe, wacha watupe teargas sisi tusitupe mawe. Wakitupa teargas tunazima kama bhangi ya jana,” he said while on the podium.
The rally, held at Amalemba Grounds, marked Sifuna’s high-profile entry into Kakamega County alongside Embakasi East MP Babu Owino as part of the ongoing Linda Mwananchi campaign.
Their arrival drew huge crowds, with supporters escorting the leaders in a lively motorcade accompanied by loud music and chanting.
Moments before Sifuna took to the stage, teargas canisters were hurled near the venue, briefly throwing the area into chaos.
Sifuna used the tense moment to project composure, telling supporters that the movement would continue its nationwide tour but would momentarily slow down in respect of the Ramadan period, following consultations with Muslim leaders.
“Tutatembea Kenya nzima, lakini tumeombwa na ndugu zetu waisalamu, kwa sababu ya Ramadan, tupumzike kidogo alafu tutaenda mombasa,” he said.
He said the campaign would later resume its momentum, including a planned stop in Mombasa.
While storming the Kakamega rally, supporters chanted party slogans and waved ODM flags, while the convoy’s music and chants echoed through key town centers, signalling a high level of coordination and enthusiasm.
Joining Sifuna and Owino were a host of other leaders, including Siaya Governor James Orengo and other leaders, among the Embakasi East MP Babu Owino.
The rally comes on the heels of their reportedly successful campaign event in Kitengela
The Linda Mwananchi rally in Kakamega is running parallel to another event in Siaya County led by ODM party leader Oburu Odinga.
Police had earlier warned that organisers had not formally notified security agencies of the meeting, raising questions over compliance with public order requirements.
