One injured at Sifuna’s Linda Wananchi rally in Kakamega

One person was seriously injured after a tear gas canister was thrown near the dais during the Linda Wananchi rally organised by embattled ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna in Kakamega town on Saturday. Youths present at the rally moved quickly to contain the situation, breaking a gate to a nearby compound from which the canister appeared to have originated. The individual involved was escorted to the podium and later taken for medical attention after the intervention of Babu Owino, who urged that no harm come to him. Another person, thought to be linked to attempts to disrupt the meeting, was found with a handcuff and similarly taken to the podium. Earlier, the same group of youths dispersed people near the dais and reportedly damaged a vehicle they were leaving in. The youths had organised themselves to check vehicles entering the venue to prevent any disruptions. The rally drew ODM deputy party leader Godfrey Osotsi, Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka, and MPs Celeb Amisi, Caroli Omdondi, Emmanuel Oundo, Kakasinga Majimbo, Caleb Amisi, Joshua Kivilu, Patrick Makau, Obadia Barongo, and Anthony Kibagendi. Tensions in Kakamega town had been high earlier, with youths and bodaboda riders moving through the streets atop trucks, tuktuks, and motorbikes, carrying placards marked “Tutam.” Traders temporarily closed their businesses amid concerns of possible clashes between different groups. Attempts were also made to block the Sifuna team’s entry into the town by lighting fires on the Kakamega-Kisumu-Webuye highway, but these did not prevent the leaders from reaching the venue. Siaya Governor James Orengo said the rally would provide direction for the Linda Wananchi movement. “We’re bringing change to Kenya, and Kenyans should know they wield sovereign power,” he said. Babu Owino added that the movement aims to address national challenges. “We want to ask the Oburu Odinga team to surrender the party to us because we want a strong Joshua,” he said. He also noted that mass action could be considered if President William Ruto does not fulfil the ten-point agenda agreement with the late Raila Odinga.