Babu Owino delivered a defiant message of resistance after police used tear gas to disperse sections of the Linda Mwananchi rally, insisting the movement would not retreat despite intimidation.
Speaking at Amalemba Grounds in Kakamega on Saturday, the Embakasi East MP rallied supporters to remain steadfast in demanding accountability, economic opportunities, and democratic freedoms.
“Unbowed! Today, we are willing to die on this stage, if only to liberate Kenyans. We will not relent. We will not fear. We are unbowed,” Owino told the crowd amid heavy police presence and lingering tear gas.
In a message later shared on social media, he condemned the police response and linked it to broader economic frustrations.
“When we ask for jobs, we are tear-gassed! When we ask for a better life for Kenyans, we are tear-gassed! Soon, we will stop asking and take action.”
The rally, part of the opposition-linked mobilisation campaign, was disrupted after security officers lobbed tear gas canisters at the venue during preparations and again as speeches began.
Witnesses reported panic and brief confrontations, with some supporters barricading nearby roads before calm returned.
Edwin Sifuna, who attended the rally, urged supporters to remain peaceful and avoid confrontation with police.
Organisers accused authorities of attempting to intimidate attendees, while security officials maintained that public order laws must be observed and proper notification procedures followed.
Despite the disruption, crowds remained and speeches continued, reflecting strong backing for the campaign’s message.
The confrontation adds to rising political tensions as grassroots mobilisation intensifies ahead of the 2027 elections.