Police teargas Edwin Sifuna’s rally during Kitengela Linda Wananchi tour
Police teargas Edwin Sifuna’s rally during Kitengela Linda Wananchi tour
Police have lobbed teargas at a rally in Kitengela attended by an ODM faction led by Edwin Sifuna and Babu Owino.
The incident occurred as Sifuna was introducing leaders who had accompanied them to the event.
Videos showed thick smoke billowing from teargas canisters as locals dispersed for safety.
It was not immediately clear what prompted the police action at the gathering.
During the confrontation, Sifuna was heard urging calm among supporters who had grown agitated over the police action.
“You will not disrupt our meeting. Why are you throwing teargas at us? Relax so that we can continue with the meeting. Stop threatening us,” Sifuna stated, moments before another teargas canister was reportedly lobbed.
Following a confrontation between police and members of the public, the rally was abruptly halted, and media coverage was disrupted.
However, the event was largely successful as thousands turned out to receive the leaders in Kitengela after attending a church service at St. Peter’s Orkeju Emunyak ACK church in the same town.
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Following the police disruptions, Sifuna responded, accusing the government of sponsoring them. He said the police first destroyed their sound system in the morning before teargassing them during the rally.
He also thanked the residents of Kitengela for showing up, promising that the group would not relent despite the disruptions.
“Thank You, Kitengela. Despite all the harassment, intimidation, and violence from this morning, you showed up. They first destroyed our dais and sound equipment in the morning, and the state goons have now teargassed a peaceful assembly and brought it to an abrupt end. We shall not relent,” Sifuna said in a statement on his social media pages.
The latest incident is not the first time police have used force in recent weeks. The opposition, led by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, has also faced similar incidents at its recent events.
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