In Kenya's dynamic political scene, public gatherings offer a chance for leaders to interact with the masses, address concerns, and rally support. Not all receptions are warm, however. Politicians have, in the past, been publicly rejected, with the crowds expressing their displeasure through heckling, demonstrations, or outright ejection.
These incidents often stem from broken promises, political rivalries, or deep-seated frustrations among citizens. These occurrences have been observed in different regions and have been directed towards leaders at all levels of the government.
Here are five Kenyan leaders who have, at one point, been forced to make an unceremonious exit from public events:
Peter Salasya
Mumias East MP Peter Salasya faced a violent confrontation on Sunday, March 23 at Nyayo National Stadium, where he was attacked and chased out by a group of individuals while attending a match pitting Kenya's Harambee Stars against Gabon.
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Videos circulating on social media showed the MP being physically confronted before being forced to flee the stadium.
In a separate video from the stadium's parking lot, one of the attackers could be heard shouting 'heshimu Raila' as they chased Salasya away.
Speaking after the attack, Salasya said he chose not to retaliate as it would have caused chaos at the stadium which had thousands of Kenyans.
Several leaders including Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi condemned the attack and urged leaders and citizens alike to embrace tolerance and reject division, cautioning that a divided country risks losing the progress it has made.
Moses Kuria
On February 1, 2020, former Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria was removed from a Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) rally in Kitui after a dispute over seating arrangements.
When denied access to the main dais, Kuria seemingly refused to comply, sparking a commotion. Former Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu reportedly called for his ejection, citing his past criticism of then-President Uhuru Kenyatta. 
Videos shared online showed Kuria being roughed up and forcibly removed.
Calm was later restored after the intervention of former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka and ODM leader Raila Odinga, allowing Kuria back in.
Despite expressing disappointment, he later stated that he had forgiven those involved.
John Mwirigi
On 11 September 2020, Igembe South MP John Mwirigi sustained minor injuries after being ejected from a meeting in his constituency.
The meeting, organized by former Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya turned awry when locals booed Mwirigi as he attempted to address them, with others accusing him of gatecrashing the event. A standoff ensued, and fistfights erupted.
The police shot in the air to drive away the crowd and escorted the MP to his vehicle before he later recorded a statement at Maua Police Station.
Geoffrey Kingagi
On 2 September 2020, Geoffrey Kingagi Muturi, the former Member of Parliament for Mbeere South, found himself in a tricky situation as locals chased him from a public event.
Kingagi is accused of attending the event and announcing a move that did not sit well with the locals, who opted to chase him, forcing the former MP to flee for his life.
Overwhelmed by the furious locals, Kingagi passed through a ditch in a desperate bid to evade his pursuers.
It is reported that the residents' anger stemmed from the former MP's alleged failure to fulfill promises related to development projects in the constituency since his election in 2017.
Kuria Kimani
In July, Molo Member of Parliament Kuria Kimani made headlines when he attended a meeting intoxicated.
His behaviour attracted criticism from the majority of the residents in the locality, particularly because the meeting had been convened to deliberate on the issue of alcoholism menace in the area. The agitated members thus drove him out of the meeting.
The public responded with dismay and shock to the MP's actions, especially as he was someone they had hoped would come in and help sort out the problem.
Subsequently, Kimani apologized and assured his constituents that the occurrence would not recur.
