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Goons disrupt Linda Mwananchi rally in Kisii
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna joins supporters during the Linda Mwananchi Women Empowerment Programme at Monarch Hotel in Mosocho, Kisii County, on July 3, 2026.
A number of people were injured on Friday in Keumbu, Kisii County, when goons attempted to disrupt a Linda Mwananchi rally.
Linda Mwananchi leaders were unable to address their supporters in the township when a group of people carrying clubs blocked the Kisii-Keroka road.
"We couldn't even stop there. It was bad; stones were raining on us. Vehicles had their windscreens smashed, and others were vandalised. Several people were seriously injured and are receiving treatment in various hospitals in Kisii and Nyamira. We had to force our way past the goons using one of our vehicles; that is how we unblocked the road. What worries us more is that the goons were in the company of uniformed police officers," said a Linda Mwananchi supporter, who did not wish to be named.
Earlier in the day, dozens of goons chanting "two-term" slogans stormed the town of Keumbu while carrying clubs.
David Maraga arrives at Monarch Hotel in Mosocho, Kisii County, ahead of the Linda Mwananchi women empowerment forum on July 3, 2026.
Linda Mwananchi leaders, along with former Chief Justice David Maraga, have condemned the attacks.
"Why are they stoning vehicles? Why are they bringing goons? If we continue like this, we will not have an election in 2027. And that's what Ruto wants. He has brought and placed goons everywhere. If they want to hold their meeting, why can't they just do it and let us hold ours?" asked Mr Maraga.
"Let us not accept to be divided by goons. Let us not allow a government that uses goons instead of security officers. They have sensed defeat and are going home."
Suba South MP Caroli Omondi said that he had been in high spirits when he was in Kisii town, but was shocked when he arrived at Keumbu and came face to face with armed goons.
"We have been stoned at Keumbu. This is unacceptable," he said.
Jubilee politician Pauline Njoroge stated that some rogue leaders want to turn Kisii and Nyamira into goon headquarters. "We should not allow that to happen. The goons must go home with the current government," she said.
The attack on Linda Mwananchi follows a series of violent incidents in Kisii, in which many people have been seriously injured.
Last week, several people were injured in Bomachoge Borabu during a funeral where supporters of Kisii Governor Simba Arati and area MP Obadiah Barongo fought each other.
Speaking in Keroka on Friday, Mr Barongo stated that goonism must end in Kisii County, warning politicians against supporting hooliganism.
Former Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu, Ichuni MCA Wycliffe Siocha and a number of youths have been victims of political violence.
Kitutu Chache South MP Anthony Kibagendi and his Kitutu Masaba counterpart Clive Gisairo said that they would no longer tolerate hooliganism in Gusii and that their supporters would not be intimidated.
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