Suba South MP Caroli Omondi has defended the Linda Mwananchi rally in Kitengela, dismissing claims that it was scripted or orchestrated by political elites.
Speaking on Monday, February 16, 2026, Omondi said the event, which drew massive crowds, was entirely organised and planned by Gen Z activists, with Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and his team acting as guests.
“We have done our analysis, and we think we can build a coalition of 16 million votes, including Gen Z. Kitengela was a Gen Z rally. They organised it themselves; we were mere guests,” Omondi told a local radio station.
He further stated that the rally aimed to honour the late ODM leader Raila Odinga’s legacy, with Sifuna serving as a symbol for the broader movement.
Omondi added that civil society figures, including Bob Njagi, actively participated, making the event larger than initially expected.
The remarks come amid accusations that the Kitengela rally, along with other Linda Mwananchi events, was either scripted or funded by the Kenya Kwanza government.
Mumias East MP Peter Salasya has claimed that the rallies headlined by Sifuna, Babu Owino, and Siaya Governor James Orengo were fully funded by President William Ruto, arguing the events were designed to create the impression that Sifuna’s team is anti-government while secretly aligning with the administration.
The rally followed a tense day where police lobbed teargas at attendees, disrupting proceedings and forcing supporters to scatter.
Despite this, Sifuna praised residents for showing up and vowed to continue mobilising.
Omondi’s statement and the claims of government involvement highlight the growing contestation within ODM and the broader opposition, raising questions about the independence of political mobilisation ahead of the 2027 elections.
With Gen Z emerging as a key political force, Kitengela has become a symbol of youthful organisation and engagement in Kenyan politics, even as allegations of external influence continue to spark debate.
