Teargas On Cake: Anti-Riot Police Halt Raila Birthday Celebrations In Nairobi CBD [VIDEO]

Normalcy in Nairobi's Central Business District (CBD) was brought to a halt after officers drawn from the National Police Anti-Riot Unit lobbed teargas at a section of Kenyans who gathered to celebrate Raila Odinga's 79th birthday.

In a video seen by Viral Tea, the crowd which gathered outside the Kenya National Archives were in song celebrating the Azimio la Umoja leader's birthday before they were jumped by a teargas canister tossed from out of the blue.

The crowd was made to scatter in different directions as the canisters exploded and released the teargas, some of the canisters landing on the birthday cakes laid on the table before exploding.

As the cameraman bravely captured the unfolding scenes, a woman could be heard pleading with the officers to "Wacha tuchukue keki...wacha tuchukue keki! (let us take the cake)".

Here is the video:

Moment anti-riot police fired teargas to disperse a section of Kenyans that had gathered in Nairobi's Central Business District (CBD) outside National Archives to celebrate Raila Odinga's 79th birthday#ViralVideos pic.twitter.com/wYlzd50V8f — Viral Tea Ke (@ViralTeaKe) January 7, 2024

The woman braved the smoke as she stepped in to salvage the cake, only for it to drop from her hands as she walked off empty-handed.

However, a male supporter managed to salvage part of the cake while he could be heard intimidating the officers before they took off, including the cameraman, who however returned to assess the damage caused.

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Communications Director Peter Etale confirmed the incident, adding that the anti-riot officers also fired live bullets in the air to disperse the crowd.

"Police in anti-riot gear has attacked peaceful Kenyans outside the National Archives as they were celebrating Raila Odinga’s birthday," Etale stated in part on X.

"They lobbed tear-gas canisters and shot live bullets in the air. They were led by OCPD for Central."

It was unclear if anyone sustained injuries during the commotion.

The Nairobi CBD celebrations coincided with a grand cake-cutting ceremony that the opposition leader held in Malindi, Kilifi County as well as similar celebrations held in different parts of the country.

As earlier announced by ODM, other places where the cake-cutting would take place include Kisii CBD roundabout, Siaya Governor's Park, the Tom Mboya Statue in Nairobi CBD and Maili Tatu in Maua, Meru County.

Other areas included Taxi Park in Busia, Mikindani Primary School in Mombasa, Hotel Conrad in Kitengela, Kajiado, Mabriver in Kwale, Narok and Kisumu CBD. 

The party also showcased various baked cakes bearing significance in Raila's push for maandamano (protests) through messages aimed at pressuring President William Ruto's government to lower the cost of living.

Raila first visited the Malindi Orphanage where he was joined by children to mark his 79th birthday after which he proceeded to cut the cake in an event attended by Raila's wife Idah and Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir as well as Senators Stewart Mwadzayo and Hamida Kibwana.

MPs Zamzam Mohamed (Mombasa Women Rep), Gertrude Mbeyu (Kilifi Women Rep), Rashid Bedzimba (Kisauni), Omar Mwinyi (Changamwe), Mishi Mboko (Likoni), Ken Chonga (Kilifi South), Harrison Kombe (Magarini), Antony Oluoch (Mathare), Assembly Speakers Aharub Shatri (Mombasa) and Teddy Mwambire (Kilifi) were also in attendance.

Governor Abdulswamad was photographed gifting Raila the away kit of his favourite English Premier League (EPL) team, Arsenal, as the Gunners take on Liverpool in a crunch FA Cup tie later on Sunday.

Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir gifts Raila Odinga an Arsenal jersey during his 79th birthday celebrations in Malindi on January 7, 2024. /PHOTO