CBRN event in Kenya on Sat 21st February 2026

Linda Mwananchi's supporters in Kakamega have resisted and refused to vacate the premises after teargas was lobbed at the crowd after Nairobi senator Edwin Sifuna took the stage to address the crowd.  In his response, Sifuna urged supporters to remain at the venue, insisting the meeting would proceed as planned, and called on them to safely disperse the teargas canisters. Additionally, he urged the people to desist from throwing stones at the police. The disruption comes a day after the Western Regional Commander Issa Mohamud assured the residents that he would ensure peace would prevail, and the police would be deployed if needed. The commander had stated that he never received any formal communication from Sifuna informing him of the planned rally and that he only got news of the from posts circulating on social media. Furthermore, Issa alleged that he had received information on goons armed with rifles were being ferried to Kakamega to provide security during the rally. The current tension between Sifuna and the government is said to have emerged from the recent Linda Mwananchi tour in Kitengelea, which saw the death of two people and fifty more injured. Sifuna accused the government of unleashing state violence and hiring goons to destroy the rally's stage platform and sound equipment.  He explicitly faulted President Ruto and Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen, stating they are intolerant of democratic competition. Despite the teargas and violence, Sifuna stated, "We shall not relent," and thanked Kitengela residents for their resilience in showing up despite the morning's intimidation.