Police fired tear gas and shots into the air on Monday, October 12, to disperse Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leaders and activists who had gathered at Kakamega Central Police Station to present a petition against Governor Fernandes Barasa.
The group, led by DCP Secretary General Cleophas Malala and lawyer Ken Echesa, had visited the station to demand investigations into alleged intimidation and attacks targeting the governor’s political opponents.
The situation quickly deteriorated after the group arrived, with police officers deploying tear gas and firing shots into the air, triggering running battles at the station.
Journalists covering the confrontation were also caught up in the chaos, with police reportedly confiscating some of their equipment.
The equipment was subsequently returned following Malala’s intervention as tensions continued to rise amid a wider political dispute surrounding the arrest of a Nairobi-based blogger.
In the petition, Malala accused Barasa of allegedly using violence and intimidation against perceived political rivals. He urged security agencies to investigate claims of politically motivated attacks in the county.
“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 further alleged that more than 300 people had been recruited and trained to attack political opponents, burn houses and target residents.
To support his claims, Malala shared photographs of burnt houses and injured individuals with journalists.
The DCP secretary general, who is seeking to become Kakamega governor, also accused some police officers of facilitating intimidation and alleged that violence was being used to deal with political rivals.
Malala additionally condemned the arrest of digital content creators, particularly Anyama wa Anyama, arguing that criminal proceedings should not be used to restrict online expression.
He called on the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to stop allegedly shielding Barasa and individuals linked to the reported attacks, demanding investigations and action over the claims.
The confrontation comes amid an escalating public dispute between Malala and Barasa over a controversial social media post allegedly linked to the former senator and targeting the governor.
The post triggered reports of possible legal action against Malala, further deepening the political tensions between the two leaders.
The blogger's arrest reportedly followed alleged remarks linked to the disputed post, prompting Malala and his allies to demand investigations into the accusations against the governor.
The dispute is unfolding as Malala prepares to challenge Barasa for the Kakamega gubernatorial seat in the August 2027 General Election under the DCP ticket. Barasa, who currently holds the seat, is expected to defend his position on an Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) ticket.
The contest is shaping up amid growing political rivalry in Kakamega, with the latest confrontation adding to tensions between the governor and the former senator as the 2027 elections approach.
