Teargas fired as Malala-led protest sparks chaos in Kakamega
Protests led by politician Cleophas Malala at the Kakamega Central Police Station turned chaotic as police fired teargas to disperse the crowd. The demonstration was held to protest the arrest of a digital creator accused of circulating manipulated, AI-generated content depicting Governor Fernandes Barasa.
Why it matters
The incident underscores growing tensions regarding digital misinformation, AI-generated content, and political accountability in Kenya.
Police officers lob teargas at Kakamega Central Police Station during a protest led by DCP deputy party leader Cleophas Malala on October 12, 2026 / SCREENGRAB
Police fired teargas into the air at Kakamega Central Police Station on Monday as a protest led by Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) deputy party leader Cleophas Malala turned chaotic.
People were seen running as officers moved to control the crowd, while teargas filled the station field. Armed police officers in full uniform were deployed to contain the situation.
Malala, lawyer Ken Echesa and a group of activists had arrived at the station to present a petition over the arrest of a Nairobi-based digital creator in connection with social media content linked to Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa.
Malala questioned the arrest, arguing that authorities should pursue those who published the material rather than people who commented on it.
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