Tear Gas, Crowds and Defiance: Edwin Sifuna’s Kitengela Rally Signals Deepening ODM Power Struggle

Kitengela, Kajiado County – 15 February 2026 — What was billed as a routine stop in the now-controversial Linda Mwananchi Tour turned into one of the most politically charged gatherings of the year, as Edwin Sifuna led a high-stakes rally in Kitengela amid an escalating leadership dispute within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).

The rally, held in the rapidly growing satellite town of Kitengela in Kajiado County, drew thousands of supporters, heightened security deployment, and ultimately, disruption involving tear gas — a development that underscores the growing tensions inside one of Kenya’s most influential political parties.

This article examines what happened in Kitengela, why it matters, and what it signals for Kenya’s political landscape in 2026.

A Rally Framed as “Protecting the Citizen”

The Kitengela event was part of Sifuna’s nationwide outreach campaign branded the Linda Mwananchi Tour — a phrase meaning “Protect the Citizen.” The tour has been positioned as a grassroots engagement platform aimed at amplifying citizen concerns about governance, economic strain, and political accountability.

For Sifuna, however, the Kitengela stop carried additional political weight.

Earlier in February 2026, ODM’s National Executive Committee announced his removal as the party’s Secretary-General — a decision he has publicly rejected, describing it as unconstitutional. He maintains that he remains the legitimate officeholder and has indicated his intention to challenge the move in court.

The Kitengela rally was therefore more than a policy engagement. It was a public assertion of political relevance and authority.

Why Kitengela?

Kitengela is not Nairobi, but it has become politically strategic.

Situated in Kajiado County and closely tied to the capital’s commuter belt, Kitengela represents Kenya’s expanding urban middle- and working-class population. It is a region that blends rural identity with urban economic pressures — rising housing costs, job market strain, and infrastructural demands.

By choosing Kitengela, Sifuna tapped into a constituency that reflects broader national anxieties. The town’s rapid demographic growth makes it a fertile ground for political messaging centered on economic protection and citizen rights.

Political analysts note that satellite towns like Kitengela are increasingly becoming battlegrounds for narrative control — especially as parties recalibrate alliances ahead of future electoral cycles.

Massive Turnout and Heightened Security

By mid-morning, large crowds had gathered at the rally venue, waving banners and chanting slogans associated with the Linda Mwananchi message. Supporters described the gathering as a show of solidarity for Sifuna amid what they view as unfair internal targeting within ODM.

Security presence was visibly reinforced. Police officers were deployed around the rally perimeter, with patrol vehicles stationed nearby. Authorities cited the need to maintain order during a high-attendance political gathering.

However, tension escalated during the proceedings.

Reports from the ground indicate that tear gas was lobbed into sections of the crowd, temporarily dispersing attendees and interrupting speeches. Footage circulating on local media platforms showed participants scattering before regrouping.

Sifuna, addressing supporters after calm was partially restored, urged restraint and questioned the necessity of the security response. He framed the disruption as an attempt to intimidate his faction and derail the tour’s momentum.

No immediate reports of serious injuries were confirmed at the time of writing, though several attendees complained of irritation and panic caused by the tear gas.

The ODM Rift: What’s at Stake?

The Kitengela rally cannot be isolated from the broader internal crisis within ODM.

The party, historically associated with opposition politics and mass mobilization, has faced internal restructuring and leadership realignment since late 2025. Sifuna’s removal as Secretary-General has become the focal point of factional tension.

At the heart of the dispute are competing visions for ODM’s political direction:

• One faction advocates for strategic cooperation and recalibration within the current national governance framework.
• The other faction — associated with Sifuna — positions itself as a defender of traditional opposition values and citizen-centered advocacy.

Sifuna’s public insistence that he remains in office has effectively turned the matter into both a legal and political contest.

The Kitengela rally, therefore, functioned as a visible test of political muscle — measuring grassroots loyalty against institutional authority.

Public Reaction in Kitengela

Interviews with attendees reflected mixed motivations.

Some supporters emphasized loyalty to Sifuna personally, praising his communication style and willingness to confront internal party decisions openly.

Others framed their attendance as a protest against broader governance concerns, saying the Linda Mwananchi message resonates beyond ODM politics.

Local residents, however, expressed concern about security disruptions. Business owners in Kitengela town center noted temporary closures and slowed commercial activity during the height of the rally.

Political gatherings in satellite towns often carry economic ripple effects — both positive and disruptive — and Sunday’s event was no exception.

Tear Gas and the Optics of Power

The use of tear gas during political gatherings carries symbolic weight in Kenya’s democratic history.

While law enforcement maintains that security interventions are guided by risk assessments and crowd control protocols, opposition-aligned groups often interpret such actions as suppression.

In Kitengela, the optics were powerful:

• A contested party leader.
• A mobilized crowd.
• Police intervention mid-rally.

These images quickly circulated across digital platforms, amplifying the political narrative beyond Kajiado County.

In the era of instant digital dissemination, such moments shape public perception as much as official statements.

Legal Battle Ahead?

Sifuna has publicly stated that he intends to pursue legal recourse regarding his removal from the Secretary-General position. If formally filed, such a case could test the internal constitutional processes of ODM.

Legal analysts note that party constitutions and internal dispute resolution mechanisms often become battlegrounds when political legitimacy is contested.

Should the courts become involved, the dispute may set precedents regarding party governance, internal democracy, and executive committee powers.

The Kitengela rally signals that regardless of institutional decisions, Sifuna intends to maintain a visible political footprint.

Implications for Kenya’s Political Climate in 2026

Kenya’s political environment in 2026 is marked by recalibration.

Opposition parties are redefining identity. Governing alliances are evolving. Public trust in institutions remains under scrutiny amid economic pressure and shifting global dynamics.

The events in Kitengela reflect three broader themes:

1. Grassroots Mobilization Remains Powerful

Despite internal party disputes, leaders can still draw significant crowds through localized messaging.

2. Satellite Towns Are Politically Strategic

Urban peripheries like Kitengela represent Kenya’s demographic future — politically aware, economically pressured, and digitally connected.

3. Internal Party Democracy Is Under the Spotlight

How ODM resolves its leadership dispute will influence perceptions of its institutional integrity.

What Happens Next?

The Linda Mwananchi Tour is expected to continue in other counties, despite Sunday’s disruption.

Key questions remain:

• Will the courts intervene in the ODM leadership dispute?
• Will party leadership seek reconciliation or escalate disciplinary measures?
• How will national authorities manage security for upcoming rallies?

For now, the Kitengela rally stands as a defining moment in Kenya’s 2026 political calendar — a convergence of internal party power struggles, grassroots mobilization, and state security optics.

“Sifuna in Kitengela” is not about a business or landmark.

It is about a political moment.

On 15 February 2026, Kitengela became a stage for contested authority within the Orange Democratic Movement. The rally led by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna showcased both public support and institutional friction.

As tear gas dispersed crowds and speeches resumed amid tension, one reality became clear: Kenya’s political realignments are unfolding not just in parliamentary chambers, but in town squares like Kitengela.

The coming weeks will determine whether this episode marks a temporary confrontation or the beginning of a deeper restructuring within one of the country’s most influential political parties.

For residents of Kitengela — and observers across Kenya — the events of this Sunday are a reminder that local spaces can quickly become national flashpoints in times of political transition.