One person confirmed dead after attack on Sifuna-led rally in Kitengela

In a statement on Monday, Sifuna noted that 28-year-old Vincent Ayomo was fatally shot by police officers who disrupted the rally, accusing President William Ruto's administration of being behind the violent attack.

"He tragically lost his life in the fight for a better Kenya at the hands of those who are duty-bound to protect him. He came to join other Kenyans in a peaceful assembly. He committed no crime. He provoked nobody. So why did the police kill him?" he posed.

Sifuna faulted President Ruto and Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kipchumba Murkomen for the violence, condemning the use of police and hiring of goons to disrupt public meetings.

He intimated that many more attendees were injured and property was vandalized as teargas was lobbed to disperse the mammoth crowd.

"They do not respect the rights of Kenyans and are intolerant of democratic competition. They have chosen to unleash state violence on Kenyans instead of addressing the many challenges facing them," he said.

"They wrongly believe that the use of state violence will deter Kenyans from exercising their political rights. To the contrary, Kenyans will not surrender and live on their knees. Instead, they will defend their rights and use their votes to effect change through the ballot."

The firebrand further vowed to pursue legal action and bring those involved to book, and give justice to the mourning family.

"We will pursue justice for his family and ensure that those responsible for his death are held accountable. We wish the injured quick relief and speedy recovery," he said.

Sifuna was leading an Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) rival faction attended by political juggernauts Babu Owino, James Orengo, Godfrey Osotsi among others.

ODM was divided when the Oburu Odinga-led faction ousted Sifuna as its Secretary General, but Sifuna maintained he is the duly elected SG and the demotion is a witch hunt for not supporting President Ruto's re-election ambitions.