The tragic death of 28-year-old Vincent Ayomo, also known as Kawaya, has cast a shadow over a political rally held by a faction of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) in Kitengela, Kajiado County, on Sunday, February 15, 2026.
Ayomo, originally from Kisumu County and a resident working at a local garage in Kitengela, was fatally shot during the event. Family members identified him and reported that he was struck by a bullet—described in some accounts as to the face or through the eye—while reportedly running errands or returning home from work, rather than actively participating in the rally itself.
The rally, organized by the Linda Mwananchi faction led by embattled ODM Secretary General and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, descended into chaos when anti-riot police intervened. Officers deployed tear gas canisters to disperse the crowd and fired shots in the air, according to multiple media reports and eyewitness accounts. Police actions effectively ended the gathering prematurely amid heightened tensions surrounding internal ODM divisions.
Sifuna condemned the incident, attributing the fatal shooting directly to police. He described it as a “senseless and needless killing” and pledged to seek justice and accountability for Ayomo’s family. Opposition figures, including Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, have claimed broader casualties, alleging up to two deaths and around 50 injuries from the police crackdown, though initial confirmations center on Ayomo’s death.
Authorities have not yet issued an official statement detailing the circumstances of the shooting or confirming responsibility. The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has launched an investigation into the incident amid growing concerns over police conduct during political events.
Ayomo’s family, joined by activists and human rights groups such as VOCAL Africa, visited the City Mortuary where a postmortem examination was scheduled. Relatives mourned the loss of a young man supporting himself through mechanic work, with calls mounting for a thorough probe to establish the facts.
This event highlights ongoing challenges in Kenya’s political landscape, including factionalism within parties like ODM and recurring allegations of excessive force by security agencies at public gatherings. As investigations proceed, the incident serves as a somber reminder of the human cost when political expression meets heavy-handed security responses.
