Sifuna’s Linda Mwananchi Rally Briefly Disrupted in Narok as Teargas Canister is Lobbed

Sifuna’s Linda Mwananchi Rally Briefly Disrupted in Narok as Teargas Canister is Lobbed

A political rally led by Edwin Sifuna in Narok Town was briefly disrupted on Sunday after a teargas canister was thrown into a large crowd of supporters, forcing a temporary halt to the event and heightening tensions in the area.

The Nairobi Senator had earlier attended a church service at Covenant Church International Ntulele alongside several political leaders before proceeding to the planned “Linda Mwananchi” rally in the town center. Among those present was Babu Owino, the Member of Parliament for Embakasi East.

Trouble appeared to be brewing hours before the rally commenced. Reports from the ground indicated that police officers had ordered the removal of public address systems that had been set up in preparation for the event, raising concerns among organizers that authorities were attempting to block the gathering. Sifuna’s team, however, maintained that the rally had been duly communicated to relevant security agencies.

Video footage circulating online showed the moment the teargas canister landed among the crowd, sending plumes of smoke into the air and causing panic among attendees. Despite the chaos, Sifuna and Owino were seen remaining at the venue, urging supporters to stay calm and avoid stampede.

Supporters, some covering their faces from the acrid fumes, could be heard chanting slogans and expressing defiance. “They have started throwing teargas at us, but we are going nowhere. We are not going to run away,” one supporter was heard shouting in a video recorded at the scene.

Other chants, including anti-government slogans such as “wantam,” echoed through the crowd as people regrouped after the initial shock. Witnesses said the incident caused only a brief disruption, with many attendees returning to the rally area once the smoke began to dissipate.

Despite the tense situation and intermittent rainfall, the political leaders resumed their address to the crowd shortly afterward, speaking amid lingering smoke from the canister. Observers noted that security presence remained high throughout the event, although it was not immediately clear who had deployed the teargas or under what circumstances.

The rally forms part of the “Linda Mwananchi” political mobilization campaign, which has recently drawn attention amid internal disagreements within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM). The faction led by Sifuna has expressed opposition to the party’s upcoming National Delegates Convention (NDC), citing concerns over the process and legitimacy of the planned meeting.

The Narok gathering comes ahead of a potentially decisive political showdown scheduled for next week in Nairobi County, where rival factions are expected to hold parallel engagements. The “Linda Mwananchi” group has indicated it will not participate in the official NDC, instead organizing its own mobilization activities.

Speaking earlier during the church service, Sifuna suggested that the competing meetings would test the strength of each faction’s support base.

“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 to Kilifi and other places. We will meet eye to eye,” he said.

Political analysts say the developments underscore deepening divisions within the party, with the outcome of next week’s events likely to shape its internal dynamics ahead of future political contests.

As investigations into the teargas incident continue, authorities have yet to issue an official statement explaining the disruption. Meanwhile, leaders from the rally have called for calm, urging supporters to remain peaceful despite the heightened political atmosphere.

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Sifuna’s Linda Mwananchi Rally Briefly Disrupted in Narok as Teargas Canister is Lobbed