In Kitengela, Kajiado County (Kenya) on Sunday, 15 February 2026, a large political gathering that was meant to be part of the ongoing Linda Mwananchi tour ended in turmoil after security forces deployed teargas and scattered the crowd.
Thousands of residents and supporters had gathered in the town centre for what was described as a peaceful assembly. The rally was led by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, alongside a team of allied leaders, including MPs and regional officials, who were engaging with locals and addressing issues ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to journalists on the ground, the atmosphere at the start of the day was energetic, with boda boda riders, youths and local residents turning up in large numbers. Supporters chanted slogans and listened to speeches before the situation unfolded.
However, the event rapidly spiralled into chaos when police and anti-riot units moved in and fired multiple teargas canisters into the crowd. Bystanders, shoppers, and boda boda riders were seen scrambling for cover as thick plumes of smoke filled the streets, and many fled in different directions to escape the choking fumes.
Security interventions reportedly occurred just as leaders were introducing speakers, with panic breaking out within minutes. Videos circulating on social media showed people running as tear gas cut through the gathering, forcing the abrupt end of the rally.
In an earlier incident that morning, organisers said the rally’s dais and sound equipment were vandalised and destroyed, hampering preparations ahead of the scheduled meeting. While it remains unclear who was responsible, Senator Sifuna and his supporters accused government agents or allied actors of deliberately sabotaging the event.
In a statement shared on social media after the disruption, Sifuna thanked the residents of Kitengela for showing up despite the “harassment, intimidation and violence” and vowed that the movement would not be deterred. “The state goons have now teargassed a peaceful assembly and brought it to an abrupt end. We shall not relent,” he said, highlighting the deep political tensions surrounding the tour.
The incident drew sharp reactions from both supporters and critics. Some traded accusations about political motives and claims of excessive force, while others defended the right to peaceful assembly and criticised the use of tear gas against civilians.
By midday, businesses along the Nairobi Namanga Road had temporarily closed, and transport was reportedly disrupted as chaos spread beyond the rally area. Some youths briefly engaged officers in confrontations as police continued efforts to disperse the crowd.
This confrontation in Kitengela marks one of the latest flashpoints in an increasingly tense political climate as opposition movements seek to mobilise public support ahead of the 2027 elections, and security forces have at times taken hardline stances at mass gatherings.
