Kalonzo, Gachagua teargassed in Nairobi’s CBD

By Newsflash Writer

Police on Monday, February 16, once again lobbed teargas at a political meeting addressed by opposition leaders in Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD), escalating tensions between the government and its critics over alleged suppression of dissent.

The incident occurred near the Tea Room area as Kalonzo Musyoka, leader of the Wiper Patriotic Front (WPF), was introducing members of his party. Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua had accompanied him when police moved in and dispersed the gathering using teargas.

Witnesses said commotion erupted after officers fired canisters into the crowd, forcing leaders and their supporters to flee. Shortly after the chaos, Gachagua and other opposition figures were hurried away along River Road, with thick plumes of teargas lingering behind them.

The confrontation came barely a day after police similarly disrupted a political rally organised by embattled Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna’s Linda Mwananchi’ group in Kitengela, Kajiado County, on Sunday.

Leaders accuse State of repression

Following Monday’s incident, opposition leaders accused the government of orchestrating the disruption. Gachagua directly blamed Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, alleging that he ordered officers to interfere with the meeting.

Earlier in the day, the leaders had visited Vigilance House in Nairobi seeking an audience with Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja over the Witima church attack in Nyeri that targeted Gachagua and his allies. However, they did not find him.

DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua addressing his supporters in Nairobi on 16/02/2026. Photo/Denish Ochieng’

The delegation also failed to meet Kanja’s deputies — Eliud Lagat and Gilbert Masengeli.

The opposition leaders criticised the police leadership for failing to provide a progress report on investigations into the church attack, accusing the authorities of neglecting their constitutional duty and vowing to continue demanding answers.

Kalonzo condemns police action

In a strongly worded statement following the teargassing, Kalonzo condemned what he described as state-sponsored intimidation and repression.

“The impunity and shamelessness of this regime now stand fully exposed before the nation,” he said.

“Barely moments after leaving the office of the Kenya Police Service Inspector General, where we had gone peacefully, lawfully, and in good faith to demand accountability, we were once again met with teargas and brute force. Our only intention was to walk to Tea Room Nairobi and address Kenyans in a calm, peaceful gathering.”

He added: “There was no provocation. There was no violence. There were only citizens and their leaders exercising their constitutional right to assemble and to speak. Yet once again, the response of the State was force.”

Kalonzo further claimed that innocent citizens were affected during the incident.

“Canisters of teargas were fired into a peaceful crowd. Innocent Kenyans were left choking, running, and scattering, not because they had broken any law, but because they dared to stand in defence of justice, accountability, and dignity. This is not governance. This is intimidation. This is a regime that has chosen repression as its primary language of engagement with its own people,” he said.

He warned that the actions signalled a broader attempt to suppress dissent, saying, “What we are witnessing is a deliberate and dangerous attempt to criminalise dissent and normalise fear in a democratic republic.”

Despite the confrontation, the opposition leader maintained that they would not be deterred.

“Let me be clear: we will not retreat. We will not be silenced. We will not surrender our constitutional freedoms. The demand for accountability will only grow louder, stronger, and more united,” he said.

“A nation cannot be teargassed into submission. Kenya belongs to her people, not to RUTO intimidation, not to RUTO impunity, and not to RUTO repression. Justice must prevail. Democracy must be defended. Together, we shall Komboa Kenya.”