The Day Police Tear-Gassed the Kitengela Rally

Morning coverage focused on the escalating succession crisis within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), following the disputed removal of Secretary General Edwin Sifuna. While Catherine Omanyo was named as his acting replacement, Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi and Oburu Odinga issued conflicting statements regarding Sifuna’s status, with the latter claiming Sifuna was merely asked to step aside. Simultaneously, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki publicly rejected ODM’s reported interest in his office, asserting that the position was not vacant. By afternoon, editorial priority shifted to the violent dispersal of a 'Linda Mwananchi' rally in Kitengela. Media outlets highlighted footage of police using tear gas against supporters led by Sifuna and Babu Owino. In the evening, the focus turned to regional diplomacy as President Ruto proposed a Sh128 billion African Union Peace Fund at the AU Summit, while domestic reports tracked a Kenya Airways flight forced to return to Nairobi after failing to land in Kigali.