Thousands of supporters gathered at Amalemba Grounds in Kakamega on Saturday for Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna’s ‘Linda Mwananchi’ rally, turning the event into one of the largest opposition gatherings in Western Kenya in recent months despite early police intervention using teargas.
The rally, part of ODM’s ongoing nationwide mobilisation tour, featured high-profile speakers including Embakasi East MP Babu Owino and Siaya Senator James Orengo. Organisers estimated attendance at over 25,000, with many participants arriving on foot, motorcycles and matatus from Kakamega, Vihiga, Bungoma and Busia counties. Human mosaics formed the word “SIFUNA” in the stadium stands, while long convoys of boda boda riders escorted the principal speaker into the venue.
Police deployed teargas canisters around 9 a.m., shortly after the crowd began assembling, claiming the event had not been formally notified under the Public Order Act. The action triggered brief running battles between youth and anti-riot officers along the stadium perimeter. Several canisters landed inside the grounds, causing temporary panic and forcing some attendees to seek shelter under the stands. No serious injuries were reported, though a number of people were treated for teargas inhalation at nearby clinics.
Sifuna, arriving shortly after the incident, addressed the crowd amid lingering smoke and chants of “Baba’s spirit lives.” “They can fire teargas, but they cannot extinguish the fire in the hearts of Kenyans,” he declared. “This is not about me; this is about a people who are tired of high taxes, corruption, police brutality and broken promises. Linda Mwananchi is a call to defend the dignity of every Kenyan who wakes up every day to struggle.”
Babu Owino was even more direct. “We are not here to beg for mercy from a government that has turned its back on the people,” Owino said. “They teargas us because they fear our numbers and our message. But look around—this crowd is unstoppable. 2027 is coming, and we will reclaim our country.”
James Orengo, speaking with his characteristic measured tone, framed the rally as a defence of constitutionalism. “Raila Odinga taught us to fight injustice with courage and unity,” Orengo said. “Today we see the same spirit. The teargas only proves they are afraid of an awakened citizenry. We will continue this tour until every corner of Kenya hears the message: enough is enough.”
The massive turnout and defiant atmosphere highlighted deepening anti-government sentiment in Western Kenya, a traditional ODM stronghold that has grown increasingly frustrated with rising living costs, unemployment, police heavy-handedness and perceived broken promises from the Kenya Kwanza administration. Boda boda riders, youth groups and market women formed the backbone of the crowd, many waving orange ODM flags and wearing branded caps distributed by party mobilisers.
Local residents said the rally’s scale surprised even organisers. “People came from villages we didn’t expect,” said a Kakamega trader who attended. “They are angry about unga prices, school fees, hospital bills and the way police treat young people. When Sifuna spoke, you could feel the energy. It was like 2007 all over again.”
Police later issued a statement defending the teargas deployment. “The gathering was not notified in accordance with the law,” read the statement from Kakamega County Police Commander. “Officers used minimum force to disperse an unlawful assembly and restore order. No life was lost and normalcy has returned.”
The ‘Linda Mwananchi’ tour, launched by Sifuna and the ODM hardline faction, has become a focal point for opposition mobilisation since Raila Odinga’s death in October 2025. Previous stops in Busia and other Western towns have drawn similarly large crowds, with organisers vowing to continue across the country until 2027.
Political observers say the rally’s success, despite police disruption, signals ODM’s enduring grassroots strength in the region even amid internal divisions over the expired March 2025 MoU with Kenya Kwanza. “Western Kenya remains the engine room of ODM support,” said analyst Dr Martin Ouma. “Sifuna is tapping into genuine economic pain and anger over governance. The teargas only amplified the message rather than silencing it.”
As the tour prepares to move to Vihiga, Kisumu and Homa Bay, the incident in Kakamega has raised fresh questions about freedom of assembly and police conduct during political gatherings. Human rights groups called for independent investigations into the teargas use, while ODM leaders vowed to press on regardless of obstacles.
