Linda Mwananchi Truck Stoned Heading to Kakamega Ahead of Saturday Rally
Kakamega, Kenya – Tensions within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) escalated on Friday after a truck allied to the Linda Mwananchi faction was stoned while en route to Kakamega County for a rally scheduled on Saturday, February 21.
The incident occurred at Kona Mbaya trading center, where the truck, part of a convoy heading to the rally, was attacked by unidentified individuals. Videos shared online by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna captured the moment when a rock was hurled at the vehicle as the turnboy shouted movement slogans.
Panic ensued inside the truck, with the driver struggling to maintain control on the road while the turnboy ducked to the floor to avoid injury. Voices of alarm can be heard in the footage before the video abruptly ends. No casualties were reported.
Sifuna’s Response
Senator Sifuna condemned the attack, insisting that the faction, which includes Siaya Governor James Orengo and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, would proceed with the Kakamega rally as planned.
“Since Murkomen remains on the Senate WhatsApp group as a former senator, I have shared the notice of the Kakamega rally both in the group and directly to his personal WhatsApp number, so he cannot later claim he was unaware of the event, as he did with the Kitengela rally,” Sifuna stated.
His remarks followed Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen’s earlier claims that he had not been notified of the Kitengela rally held on February 15, which was disrupted by police.
Murkomen’s Position
Murkomen had argued that the Kitengela rally was staged on a market day to attract crowds and accused ODM leaders of ferrying “goons” from Machakos to cause chaos.
“The recent rally in Kitengela was very unfortunate in that the report was not given to the police officers so that they could provide security,” Murkomen said on February 18, urging political leaders to give prior notification to authorities before rallies.
The Kitengela rally ended in tragedy after police fired teargas to disperse the gathering, leaving two people dead and more than 50 injured. ODM leaders have blamed the government for the violence, accusing police of excessive force.
Legal Requirements
Under the Public Order Act, organisers are required to notify police in writing at least three days, but no more than 14 days, before holding a rally. While the law does not require approval, it mandates notification to allow security arrangements.
Sifuna’s insistence that Murkomen was informed via WhatsApp highlights a growing dispute over what constitutes proper notification under the law. Analysts note that while digital communication is common, the Act specifies written notices to local police stations.
Opposition’s Next Steps
On Thursday, the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) issued a letter to Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, notifying him of their intention to visit his office on February 20. However, the visit was later cancelled after members of the United Opposition resolved to sue the Inspector General, accusing him of failing to act against police officers implicated in recent attacks.
Conclusion
The stoning of the Linda Mwananchi truck adds to mounting political tensions ahead of the Kakamega rally. With ODM factions pressing forward despite government warnings, and opposition leaders accusing police of complicity in violence, the weekend rally is expected to test both the resilience of the opposition movement and the government’s handling of political assemblies.
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Linda Mwananchi Truck Stoned Heading to Kakamega Ahead of Saturday Rally
