A peaceful "Linda Mwananchi" rally turned chaotic on Sunday as police deployed teargas against ODM leaders, sparking widespread condemnation of state heavy-handedness.

The haze of teargas that engulfed Kitengela yesterday did more than disperse a crowd; it clouded the government’s commitment to democratic assembly. Police officers lobbed canisters at a podium occupied by ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna, turning a civic gathering into a stampede.

The incident, which occurred during a "Linda Mwananchi" (Protect the Citizen) tour, has drawn sharp rebuke from human rights groups and opposition chiefs, who termed it a return to the dark days of state-sponsored intolerance. The rally was intended to address the rising cost of living, but instead highlighted the rising cost of dissent.

An Abrupt End to Discourse

Eyewitnesses report that the gathering was peaceful until a contingent of anti-riot police arrived. Without warning, teargas canisters were fired directly at the dais where Sifuna and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino were seated. The resulting melee saw thousands of supporters—including women and the elderly—scramble for safety through the dusty streets of Kajiado County.

“This is cowardice of the highest order,” Sifuna told reporters moments after being whisked away by security. “You can teargas our bodies, but you cannot teargas the truth. The people are hungry, and no amount of smoke will fill their stomachs.”

Patterns of Intimidation

This crackdown is not an isolated event. It follows a series of disruptions targeting opposition rallies in recent months. Critics argue that the state is weaponizing the police service to silence legitimate political competition ahead of the 2027 election cycle.

• Rights Violated: Article 37 of the Constitution guarantees the right to peaceful assembly.
• Selective Justice: Opposition leaders pointed out that similar rallies by government-aligned politicians proceed without incident.
• Public Outcry: Social media erupted with videos of the chaos, with #Kitengela trending for hours as Kenyans vented their frustration.

The Political Fallout

The teargassing has likely emboldened the opposition rather than cowed them. Images of a defiant Sifuna emerging from the smoke have already been converted into campaign iconography. By using force, the state may have inadvertently handed the ODM faction a powerful visual metaphor for their struggle.

As political temperatures rise, the National Police Service faces renewed pressure to demonstrate neutrality. Sunday’s events in Kitengela suggest that for now, the force remains a blunt instrument in a delicate political surgical operation.