One person killed in clash between Linda Mwananchi, Gov’t supporters in Mbale

The spectre of political violence reared its ugly head once again on Saturday with one person killed following violent clashes between supporters of rival factions during the Linda Mwananchi rally in Mbale, Vihiga County.

The deceased was lynched by a mob after he allegedly stabbed someone who supports a different faction hours before the rally began in the area.

Violence was also witnessed in Kakamega where the main rally had been organised after an unknown person lobbed teargas at Amalemba grounds.

Two groups clashed as supporters of Linda Mwananchi confronted goons who were allegedly sponsored to interfere with the meeting.

Seconds after Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna was given the microphone to address the crowd, teargas went off, and the crowd scampered for safety.

But unlike previous rallies which ended prematurely after teargas was lobbed into the crowd, Sifuna stood his ground and urged supporters not to run away, insisting the meeting will continue.

Heeding the call, the multitude returned charged to listen to their leaders. As the meeting progressed, a separate group was busy clashing with another that was keen on disrupting the meeting.

At one point, the crowd of supporters listening to the ODM rebels conducted a citizens arrest, they frog marched a man suspected to be working with the rival group to disrupt the rally. He was allegedly found in possession of handcuffs. It took the intervention of the leaders to stop the rowdy youth from assaulting him.

"Mimi naandamwa kwa kukumbusha William Ruto kwamba uliweka mkataba na Raila Odinga kwamba utaheshimu haki za watu kukutana kwa amani. Kwa nini unatutupia teargas? Hiyo ni kukiuka mkataba na Baba,” said Sifuna.

But even before the team landed in Kakamega, there were clear indications of a possible clash between rival groups.

As team Sifuna waited for the leaders to arrive, a group supporting government was also in town displaying placards and insisting the area was firmly behind the government. Some wore masks and carried batons, a sign that they were prepared for any eventuality.

In various footages, another group was seen torching reflectors and placards with messages in support of the government. They could be heard pledging their loyalty to the Linda Mwananchi group which is opposed to the broad-based government and re-election of President William Ruto.

In Mbale, Vihiga County, where the leaders addressed a crowd after leaving Kakamega, one person was confirmed dead after a clash between rival groups hours before the leaders arrived.

The deceased was reportedly lynched after he allegedly stabbed someone from the rival camp during the clashes.

The incident comes a week after the ODM rebels were teargassed in Kitengela. The chaos which erupted in Kitengela town left one person dead and scores others injured.

These events have raised concerns on use of goons and police officers to disrupt political events organised by opposition leaders.

The Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua is among those who have faced the wrath of both police and goons in his political activities; a concern the United Opposition leaders have shared with Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja.