One of the vehicles torched by goons during attacks on the Linda Mwananchi convoy in Homa Bay County on August 16, 2026.
An intelligence report indicates that at least 500 youths were mobilised to barricade roads and prevent members of Linda Mwananchi from accessing Homa Bay Town last Sunday.
The report is based on intelligence gathered after police recovered about 500 machetes and other crude weapons allegedly distributed to youths who took part in the violence.
According to Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) county commander Jimmy Kisobo, police are investigating events before, during and after the rally.
He said some of the weapons were distributed at least a day before the August 16 rally.
Linda Mwananchi brigade in Nyandiwa, Homa Bay on August 16, 2026 during their rally.
During their investigations, officers established that up to 500 youths were involved in the violence.
“Some youths are not loyal to the people who mobilise them to cause mayhem. Some of those who took part in the fracas collaborated with authorities and informed us of the number of weapons that were issued out,” Mr Kisobo said.
Mr Kisobo also pointed to statements by Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leaders who had vowed not to allow Siaya Governor James Orengo and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna to set foot in Homa Bay.
At the same time, police said members of Linda Mwananchi had mobilised youths to counter any resistance they encountered on their way to Homa Bay.
Police made several arrests and recovered crude weapons after mounting roadblocks to inspect vehicles heading to Homa Bay ahead of the rally.
During the rally, armed youths from opposing sides confronted one another as politicians made their way to different venues. Several criminal incidents were reported before the rally and after Linda Mwananchi members had left Homa Bay.
Authorities in the region said some youths increasingly identify themselves with particular politicians and often provide security for their preferred leaders during political events.
They warned that such groups can become involved in violence when political tensions rise.
The shell of a torched car in Homa Bay a day after a Linda Mwananchi rally turned violent.
Mr Kisobo said police were also looking for Khassim Abdi, whom they have linked to the violence and who had failed to surrender as instructed.
Mr Muchiri Nyaga, the National Police Service spokesperson, said Abdi had been ordered to report to the County DCI Headquarters following the violence. By Thursday, he was yet to honour the summons, prompting a magistrate to issue a warrant for his arrest.
Mr Kisobo said the suspect had previously been released on cash bail over an alleged offence and had been required to appear in court on a date communicated to him.
He was also expected to report to a police station on Wednesday following Sunday’s violence but did not do so.
Police are also investigating attacks on businesses in Homa Bay on the eve of the rallies.
One of them was Homa Bay Tourist Hotel, where property valued at more than Sh300 million was destroyed. The attackers forced their way into the premises while customers were eating and accused them of failing to support the current administration.
The DCI commander said the person targeted in the incident was a parliamentary aspirant.
“The politician tried to explain that he supports the government, having expressed interest in vying for a seat on UDA ticket. But Abdi, who also claims to support two terms, could not hear any of it,” Mr Kisobo said.
The politician, who is a licensed firearm holder, reportedly drew his pistol and fired into the air to disperse the youths and prevent further damage.
Meanwhile, Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga denied any links to the violence, saying there was no evidence connecting her to the incidents.
“I have never had a single incident where any violence is associated with me or my campaigns. It is something we have never done. It is something we cannot start doing now,” said the ODM national chairperson.
She spoke while condoling with the family of Noreen Nalangwa, the Ugandan woman who died on Sunday after being hit by a speeding vehicle during the chaos surrounding the Linda Mwananchi rally.
The Governor urged youths and visiting politicians to exercise restraint.
She said the presence of machetes, guns and other weapons during the unrest raised concerns about the nature of the confrontation.
Sunday’s violence left two people dead and resulted in the destruction of property, including Homa Bay Tourist Hotel and Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) offices. Several civilians, police officers and journalists were injured, while businesses in parts of Homa Bay Town were forced to close as the unrest continued.
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