Nandi: Drama as Police Lob Teargas During Peter Salasya's Political Rally in Mosoriot

• Mumias East MP Peter Salasya sparked a fierce rally in President William Ruto’s stronghold as he sought support for his 2027 presidential bid
• However, the rally took a dramatic turn when police fired tear gas, causing chaos and temporarily interrupting Salasya’s speech
• Despite the disruption, the MP resumed his address and condemned the use of tear gas on peaceful supporters

Faith Chandianya, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and Current Affairs in Kenya

Nandi: Mumias East Member of Parliament Peter Salasya made a stunning entrance into President William Ruto’s political stronghold, igniting a fierce and unexpected rally.

In a bid to drum up support for his political ambition of facing off the head of state in the 2027 General Election, he engaged with the people of the Mosoriot area.

Was there chaos at Salasya's rally?

However, peace and calm during the rally were short-lived as police soon fired tear gas, plunging the event into chaos.

In a video shared by the outspoken legislator, uniformed officers are seen approaching his motorcade while he addresses the crowd.

Supporters who had gathered at the event began jeering loudly, demanding that the police allow Salasya to continue with his speech, insisting that he had committed no wrongdoing.

After a tense standoff, the police, who had initially barricaded the area, temporarily withdrew and observed the rally from a distance, enabling Salasya to resume his address to the crowd.

"Baas, mimi nataka niseme hivi. We, as the youth of the country we must agree to move forward," he said before pausing for a moment.

"Ongea bwana," one resident was heard saying.

Before Salasya could continue, police lobbed tear gas, bringing the rally to a halt. Smoke filled the air as his motorcade started to move away.

"Can you see what is happening. Salasya has not abused anyone, but there are firing bullets," one man is heard saying.

Salasya followed his motorcade, instructing one of his drivers to park the car on the side of the road so he could continue his speech.

Afterwards, the outspoken legislator took to social media to question why police had used tear gas during his rally.

"Threats and intimidation are cowardice. Why teargas peaceful people of Mosoriot when they want to hear from me? Its unacceptable. Rift valley pia ni Kenya," Salasya said.

Peter Salasya arrested for alleged incitement

This comes days after Salasya was charged with inciting ethnic violence between the Luhya and Luo communities through inflammatory posts on social media.

He was arrested Friday, May 16, while travelling to Isiolo, where he was to meet with youth on governance and the 2027 General Election.

Salasya spent the weekend in custody before being arraigned Monday, May 19, at Milimani Law Courts in Nairobi.

According to court documents reviewed by TUKO.co.ke, Salasya allegedly used his verified X (formerly Twitter) account, @pksalasya, to post statements that authorities say promoted ethnic hatred.

Prosecutors described the posts as insulting and intended to provoke tensions between the two communities.

Represented by lawyer Echesa, Salasya pleaded not guilty and was released on a KSh 500,000 bond or KSh 200,000 cash bail.

The case was set for a hearing on June 4.

Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.

Source: TUKO.co.ke