Running battles erupted at Kakamega Central Police Station on Monday, October 12, after police fired tear gas and shots into the air to disperse DCP leaders and activists who had gone to present a petition against Governor Fernandes Barasa.

🇰🇪 Breaking It Down

The group, led by Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) Secretary General Cleophas Malala and lawyer Ken Echesa, had arrived at the station to accuse the governor of intimidating political opponents.

Tensions escalated shortly after their arrival, with police lobbing tear gas canisters and firing shots into the air, triggering a scuffle at the station.

Journalists covering the confrontation were also caught up in the chaos, with police reportedly confiscating some of their equipment.

📌 What You Need to Know

Their equipment was later returned after Malala intervened, as the confrontation unfolded amid growing political tensions surrounding the arrest of a Nairobi-based blogger.

In his petition, Malala accused Barasa of using violence and intimidation against perceived opponents, calling on security agencies to investigate allegations of politically motivated attacks.

“We have presented a public petition to the police leadership in Kakamega in what seems to be runaway political violence, goonship and intimidation of the people from compromised officers,” Malala stated.

The former senator claimed that more than 300 people had been recruited and trained to attack political rivals, torch houses, and target residents.

He also shared photos of burnt houses and injured people with the press.

Malala, who is eyeing the Kakamega gubernatorial seat, further accused compromised police officers of enabling intimidation and claimed that the governor was using violence to deal with political opponents.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke