Teargas, running battles in Kisumu as Orengo and Sifuna attend church fundraiser

Tension rocked the grounds of St Stephen ACK Cathedral in Kisumu on Sunday after rival groups of youths clashed outside the church during a fundraising service attended by Siaya Governor James Orengo and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna.

The violence erupted as the church service was underway, when a large group of youths attempted to force their way into the church compound.

Some of the youths were armed with crude weapons, including bows and arrows, while another group that had gathered within the church compound, armed with rungus, confronted them.

The confrontation quickly escalated into running battles as the two groups exchanged blows, creating panic among worshippers and residents.

Some motorbikes intercepted from the rival groups were also burnt.

Several youths were beaten, while others sustained injuries during the melee.

At one point, a youth who had been inside the church compound was seen bleeding from the head after he was assaulted.

He staggered towards the church gate before collapsing on the ground as the fighting continued around him.

Police had a difficult time containing the violence and were forced to fire teargas into the air to disperse the rowdy youths.

Thick clouds of teargas engulfed the area outside the church compound as officers struggled to restore order.

Despite the chaos outside, the fundraising programme continued inside the church.

Some worshippers, however, kept peering through the windows as the sounds of shouting, running crowds and teargas explosions interrupted the service.

After the fundraiser, Orengo, Sifuna and other leaders associated with the Linda Mwananchi movement quietly left the church through a side gate.