Sifuna Alleges Interior Ministry Accessed Flight Details Ahead of Kakamega Rally
In a statement posted on X, Sifuna claimed that the commercial airline they had booked shared their travel itinerary with officials at the Interior Ministry, allegedly compromising their security
By : Mweru Mbugua
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has accused the Ministry of Interior of accessing confidential flight details for a political delegation he was leading to a rally in Kakamega on Saturday, raising concerns over passenger safety and data privacy
In a statement posted on X, Sifuna claimed that the commercial airline they had booked shared their travel itinerary with officials at the Interior Ministry, allegedly compromising their security
“We were all booked on commercial flights from JKIA. The airline shared our itinerary with the ghouls in the Ministry of Interior knowing full well they were endangering our safety,” he wrote
Sifuna, who serves as Secretary General of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), alleged that the purported leak led to the deployment of individuals at Kisumu International Airport, where the team was initially scheduled to land
According to the senator, the group altered its travel plans after learning of the alleged security breach and instead landed at Kakamega Airport
He has called on the Kenya Airports Authority> (KAA) to explain how individuals were reportedly allowed to barricade access at the Kisumu airport and to assure passengers of their safety when transiting through the facility
“How they allowed goons to barricade the airport needs to be explained,” Sifuna said, maintaining that the incident would not deter his nationwide “Linda Mwananchi” mobilisation tour
Despite security concerns, Sifuna and his allies proceeded with the Kakamega rally, where teargas canisters were lobbed at the gathering. The leaders briefly paused as supporters scattered for safety before regrouping
“We will not escape today, we are not going anywhere. Throw some more,” Sifuna told the crowd
He was joined by Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, Siaya Governor James Orengo, Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi, and Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka, among others. The leaders vowed to press on with their nationwide mobilisation drive despite mounting political resistance and security challenges
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Western Regional Police Commander Isaak Mahoud stated that authorities had not received formal notification about the rally. He said information regarding the event had only been obtained through social media posts
“There are allegations that tomorrow we will have a rally led by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna. His faction and team want to make a rally at Amalemba; that is what we got through social media,” Mahoud said on Friday evening
He added that no official request for police assistance had been submitted but assured that security would be provided if necessary
The incident adds to growing tensions surrounding the ODM-led “Linda Mwananchi” campaign, as leaders continue to traverse the country amid heightened political contestation
