Police on Monday, February 16, 2026, used tear gas to disperse a rally led by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka in Nairobi’s central business district.
The incident came a day after police also fired tear gas at a rally in Kitengela led by Edwin Sifuna, where reports indicated that one person was shot dead.
Musyoka blamed President William Ruto for the Nairobi incident, saying the use of force violated citizens’ constitutional rights.
“The right to assembly under Article 37 of our Constitution does not include or justify the teargassing of citizens as imagined and sanctioned by William Samoei Ruto,” Kalonzo said in a social media post after the confrontation.
Opposition leaders have accused the government of disrupting their meetings using police force.
Monday’s incident occurred after leaders from the United Opposition marched to the office of Inspector General Douglas Kanja to present complaints over recent attacks during their gatherings.
Gachagua said despite scheduling a meeting with the police boss to discuss issues such as alleged police brutality, church attacks, and violence against women and children, they were instead received by junior officers.
He accused the Inspector General of using unorthodox methods in managing police command and failing to address rising insecurity.
Gachagua also cited the violent attack at ACK Witima Church and increasing incidents of violence across the country, saying failure to act suggests a deliberate effort to shield perpetrators.
“We will return to your office. You can run, but you will not hide, Mr. Kanja Douglas,” he said.
The opposition principals also made stops at River Road junction and Nyamakima in Nairobi during the procession.
Other leaders present included Eugene Wamalwa, Cleophas Malala and several Members of Parliament, among them James Gakuya, Amos Mwago and John Kaguchia.
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