Some aspirants also attempted to storm the venue using their security teams in a bid to get a chance to address the thousands of supporters who had thronged the historic venue.
A photo of ODM supporters during a rally at Jacaranda Grounds in Nairobi on October 31, 2026. Photo ODM An Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) rally at Nairobi’s Jacaranda Grounds descended into chaos on Saturday, October 31, after suspected goons stormed the main dais, forcing party leaders and supporters to flee for safety.
The incident disrupted the gathering, which was organised to mark the end of first anniversary of the death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
The chaos reportedly began when some aspirants attempted to access the main dais accompanied by their security personnel, triggering confrontations at the venue.
The situation escalated after unfamiliar faces reportedly made their way onto the stage and grabbed the microphone as party leaders were introducing themselves.
A screengrab of ODM supporters and a section of leaders scrambling for safety after chaos broke out at Jacaranda Grounds in Nairobi on October 31, 2026. Photo Screengrab During the scuffles, some leaders could be heard using the public address system to urge thousands of supporters who had turned up for the rally not to run.
However, tensions continued to rise as police officers reportedly moved in to intervene, with the confrontation eventually spilling into running battles that sent supporters scrambling for safety.
The rally had attracted senior ODM officials, including party chairperson Gladys Wanga and Deputy Party Leader Simba Arati.
Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi, his Mining counterpart Hassan Joho and Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja were also among the leaders attending the gathering.
It was not immediately clear whether anyone had been injured or arrested during the confrontation, with the circumstances surrounding the disruption yet to be established.
Neither ODM nor the Nairobi Regional Police team had issued an official statement on the incident by the time of publication.
The disruption came a day after Nairobi Regional Police Commander Issa Mohamud assured ODM leaders that adequate security would be provided during the planned rally.
Mohamud had said police officers would be deployed along the route from Uhuru Park to Jacaranda Grounds to maintain security and ensure the orderly movement of participants, warning that security agencies would take action against anyone attempting to disrupt the gathering.
