A political rally by the Linda Mwananchi camp led by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna in Meru County was briefly thrown into chaos on Sunday, August 30, after tear gas was lobbed at the gathering, forcing some supporters to scatter for safety.
The incident occurred at Makutano in Meru town as the Linda Mwananchi team wound up its engagement with residents during a wider grassroots mobilisation tour ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Reports indicate that the disruption was brief, with the meeting eventually continuing.
Sifuna was addressing the crowd when the tear gas incident occurred.
Rather than abandon the meeting, the Nairobi senator appeared determined to keep his supporters calm and dismissed the attempt to disrupt the gathering.
According to footage and reports from the rally, Sifuna urged those present not to panic as the situation unfolded.
“There is no day a tear gas will end a meeting,” Sifuna told the crowd, as he encouraged supporters to remain composed.
His remarks reflected the increasingly combative nature of the political mobilisation being undertaken by Linda Mwananchi, which has been traversing different parts of the country as opposition figures seek to build a grassroots political base ahead of the next General Election.
Babu Owino takes a defiant stance
Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, who accompanied Sifuna during the Meru tour, also addressed the incident, adopting a defiant tone.
Owino said the movement would not be intimidated by tear gas or other attempts to disrupt its political activities.
He argued that while opponents could use tear gas and allegedly mobilise groups to confront the movement, Linda Mwananchi supporters would respond through peaceful political mobilisation and their message to Kenyans.
The MP’s comments came as the Meru rally attracted significant attention, with the delegation including several prominent political figures.
The team included Sifuna, Babu Owino and former Meru governor Kawira Mwangaza, among other leaders associated with the movement.
Sifuna gets warm reception in Meru
The confrontation came after what had largely been a warm reception for Sifuna and his colleagues in parts of Meru.
Residents presented the senator with various gifts, including yams and other foodstuffs, as the movement sought to strengthen its presence in the region.
The Meru tour was part of Linda Mwananchi’s effort to move beyond its traditional political strongholds and establish a nationwide support network ahead of the 2027 polls.
The reception was politically significant because Meru and the wider Mt Kenya region are expected to play an important role in the next presidential contest.
Meru incident follows string of disruptions
The tear-gassing incident has also raised fresh questions about the safety of political gatherings as Kenya moves closer to the 2027 election season.
Linda Mwananchi activities have faced disruptions in several parts of the country in recent months.
On August 16, the movement’s activities in Homa Bay were disrupted after tear gas was lobbed at the convoy, while roads were reportedly barricaded with stones and tyres were set ablaze in some areas.
The Homa Bay events prompted condemnation from human-rights groups, with Amnesty International Kenya calling for investigations into reported violence, attacks on journalists, destruction of property and the conduct of security agencies during the political activities.
The situation escalated further on Saturday, August 29, when Siaya Governor James Orengo’s team encountered violence during political activities in Migori.
Orengo said a vehicle associated with his convoy was later set ablaze in Awendo after the team had been forced to flee the area.
Linda Mwananchi faces crucial political test
The developments come at a particularly interesting moment for Linda Mwananchi.
The movement has increasingly positioned itself as a vehicle for political mobilisation and has attracted figures including Sifuna, Orengo and Babu Owino.
However, questions about its eventual political direction have intensified after Orengo recently declared himself a presidential candidate for 2027.
His announcement has added another layer to speculation surrounding the movement’s eventual presidential ticket.
At the same time, Babu Owino publicly backed Sifuna’s presidential ambitions during the Meru rally, declaring his support for the Nairobi senator’s potential 2027 bid.
The competing ambitions could become increasingly significant as the movement transitions from grassroots mobilisation to the more difficult task of deciding how it will organise itself for the presidential contest.
For now, however, the Meru rally has added another dramatic chapter to Linda Mwananchi’s nationwide tour.
Despite the tear gas disruption, Sifuna and his allies continued addressing supporters, signalling that the movement intends to maintain its countrywide mobilisation campaign despite growing political tensions.
With the 2027 election approaching, Sunday’s events in Meru could further intensify the debate over political freedoms, security at rallies and the increasingly competitive battle to build grassroots support across Kenya.
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