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Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna’s Linda Mwananchi rally in Narok Town was disrupted when a teargas canister was thrown into the crowd. Despite the chaos, Sifuna and MP Babu Owino encouraged supporters to stay calm. The rally is set to continue in Nairobi next week, where tensions with the opposing faction are expected to rise.
Africa-Press – Kenya. Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna’s Linda Mwananchi rally in Narok Town was almost derailed after a teargas cannister was thrown in the midst of an eager crowd, temporarily halting proceedings.
Sifuna was among other dignitaries who were present at the Covenant Church International (CCI) Ntulele for a church service earlier on Sunday, before proceeding to a rally in Narok Town.
There were signs of trouble hours before the rally, as police reportedly ordered the removal of speakers ahead of the rally.
Sifuna’s camp, however, remained defiant, insisting that authorities were duly informed of the Sunday rally.
In images and videos obtained by Kenyans.co.ke, Sifuna, alongside Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino, can be seen braving the teargas, as the pair urged the eager crowd to remain calm amid tensions.
In the videos, supporters can be heard vowing to stand their ground despite the unrest. Others can also be heard chanting anti-government slogans like ‘wantam’.
“They have started throwing teargas at us, but we are going nowhere. We are not going to run away,” one of them is heard saying.
After a brief disruption, the two leaders continued to engage the crowd amid heavy smoke from the canister and rainy conditions.
The Linda Mwananchi rally now heads to Nairobi County next week, where they will meet the Linda Ground faction of the party during the party’s planned national delegates convention (NDC).
Earlier on Sunday, Sifuna noted that they will face each other in Nairobi next week and the people will decide on which meeting to attend.
The Linda Mwananchi faction had already stated that they would boycott the supposed NDC, citing irregularities and the legitimacy of its convention.
“It is going to be a very important week for us as ODM. It is good that they have said that the meeting will be in Nairobi. they have been running taking their meetings in kilifi and other places. we will meet eye to eye,” Sifuna stated during a church service.
The Linda Mwananchi rally is part of a series of political events organized by the ODM party, aimed at mobilizing support and addressing internal party disputes. Tensions have been high as factions within the party prepare for a national delegates convention, with accusations of irregularities in the planning process. The use of teargas by police during political gatherings has been a contentious issue in Kenya, often reflecting the broader struggles between government authorities and opposition groups.
