Kenyan Police Fire Teargas at Opposition Rally in Kitengela
Kitengela, 15 February 2026
Police forcibly dispersed thousands of supporters attending Edwin Sifuna’s ODM faction rally in Kitengela on Sunday, using teargas and reportedly firing live rounds. The dramatic intervention occurred as the Nairobi Senator was addressing crowds during his ‘Linda Mwananchi’ tour, causing a stampede and injuring several attendees. Sifuna accused authorities of sabotaging their equipment earlier that morning, declaring himself ‘a rebel with a cause’ against President Ruto’s administration. The incident highlights deepening fractures within Kenya’s opposition movement, with rival ODM factions competing for legitimacy ahead of the 2027 elections in a county where Raila Odinga previously outpolled Ruto.
Rally Turns Chaotic as Police Intervene
The peaceful Sunday afternoon gathering in Kitengela transformed into chaos when anti-riot officers deployed teargas canisters into the crowd as Senator Edwin Sifuna was introducing leaders at the podium [1][2]. Thick smoke forced thousands of supporters to scatter for safety whilst Sifuna attempted to maintain order, urging calm among increasingly agitated attendees [2]. The intervention occurred despite the rally proceeding without major incident until that point, with large crowds having gathered along the Kitengela-Namanga Highway to hear from the ODM breakaway faction leaders [1][3].
Morning Sabotage Preceded Afternoon Confrontation
The police action represented an escalation of harassment that began earlier on Sunday morning, according to Sifuna’s subsequent social media statement [1][3]. Authorities had already destroyed the rally’s dais and sound equipment before the main event, setting the stage for the afternoon’s dramatic confrontation [1][3]. The Linda Mwananchi tour had commenced with a church service at ACK St Peter’s Orkeju Church in Kisaju, Kajiado East Sub-County, before moving to the main rally site in Kitengela town centre [1][3]. Transport along the crucial Nairobi-Namanga Road became paralysed as the large crowd gathered, with most shops in Kitengela remaining closed throughout Sunday morning [3].
Violence Erupts as Tensions Escalate
The situation deteriorated rapidly after the initial teargas deployment, with youths engaging police in running battles throughout Kitengela town [3]. Reports emerged of live bullets being fired during the confrontation, though the extent of any injuries from gunfire remains unclear [3]. A stampede occurred as attendees fled the teargas, resulting in several injuries among the crowd [1]. The violence extended beyond the immediate rally site, with a police Land Cruiser’s windscreen being smashed during the commotion [1]. Embakasi East MP Babu Owino and Siaya Governor James Orengo were among the prominent leaders who had to retreat alongside Sifuna as the situation became untenable [1][2].
Political Implications for ODM’s Future
The forceful dispersal of the rally underscores the deepening schism within the Orange Democratic Movement, with Sifuna’s Linda Mwananchi faction positioning itself in direct opposition to the party’s official leadership [1]. Sifuna had been reinstated as ODM Secretary-General by the Political Parties Tribunal just two days earlier on 13 February 2026, adding legal legitimacy to his faction’s activities [3]. The choice of Kitengela as a rally location holds particular significance given the area’s voting patterns in the 2022 presidential election, where Raila Odinga secured 158,556 votes in Kajiado County compared to William Ruto’s 148,448 votes [1]. Across the three Maa counties, Odinga’s total of 360,000 votes substantially exceeded Ruto’s 325,000, making this region strategically important for opposition politics ahead of the 2027 elections [1].