Teargas as police disperse group celebrating Raila's birthday in CBD

Police on Sunday dispersed a group of Kenyans who were celebrating  Azimio leader Raila Odinga's birthday in the Nairobi Central Business District.

In a video seen by the Star, the group had cake on a table with pictures of Raila just next to the statue of Tom Mboya.

The group was seen and heard singing "Happy birthday baba".

Police are then heard asking them to leave before hurling teargas canisters at the group.

The people around the National Archives and the surrounding areas, including hawkers were forced to scamper for safety.

A lady wearing a blue dress is then heard pleading with the police to allow her take the cake that was covered with smoke from the teargas canisters.

Nairobi police boss Adamson Bungei said the group did not get a green light to hold the meeting.

Raila is celebrating his 79th birthday today.

The ODM leader celebrated his birthday with children from eight children's homes in Malindi. The celebration took place at the Malindi Orphanage in Malindi town.

Raila also dedicated his birthday to the liberation of the children and people of Palestine.

Earlier the ODM party had announced that there would be cake-cutting ceremonies across the country at 3:00 pm on Sunday.

The party said there will be designated places where Raila’s birthday will be celebrated.

“The cutting of the cake will be symbolic… ‘Cut the cost of living and make life bearable for Kenyans’,” ODM said on X.