Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma has mocked Nyandarua Senator John Methu for lamenting about police teargas during the disrupted Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) rally in Kakamega on Saturday, May 24, 2025.

Kaluma, taking to his X account on Sunday, May 25, scoffed at Methu’s reaction, suggesting that being in the opposition requires more resilience.

“One tear gas canister and you are crying all over! Harden up to be in the opposition, my friend,” Kaluma posted, ridiculing the senator’s public outcry.

His remarks followed a strongly worded statement by Senator Methu, who accused the police of using excessive force to silence the opposition.

“Firing live bullets and lobbing teargas at unarmed citizens is not law enforcement, it is state-sponsored brutality. Kenya deserves better. We will not be silenced or intimidated. President Ruto’s one-term clock is ticking,” Methu had written on X, shortly after chaos broke out at the rally.

Teargas

The rally, which had begun calmly, was meant to be a homecoming for former Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala, who was recently appointed as the DCP’s deputy party leader.

Crowds had gathered in the town’s Central Business District, dressed in party colours, in anticipation of speeches from Malala, Methu, and Kiambu Senator Karung’o Thang’wa.

But tension quickly escalated after Malala and Methu climbed atop a vehicle to address the supporters. Police officers responded by firing tear gas, dispersing the crowd in panic as white smoke engulfed the area. The crowd, which had been chanting party slogans and anti-government messages, scattered in all directions.

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, the DCP party leader, was expected to attend the rally, but it remains unclear whether he had arrived before the commotion began.

The violent dispersal came just a day after Malala issued a daring warning to President William Ruto during a public address in Embu’s Manyatta Constituency. Malala dared the president to attempt to arrest Gachagua, warning that such a move would provoke nationwide anger.

“We would like to tell William Ruto that he troubled Uhuru Kenyatta for five years, yet Uhuru never locked him up. If you want to understand how these Kenyans behave, try to arrest Rigathi Gachagua. We are daring you. If you are a man, try it. Arrest Rigathi Gachagua. Then you will understand how Kenya truly behaves, “Malala declared.

He went on to accuse President Ruto of leading through intimidation, claiming that many former allies had walked away from his government due to failed leadership.