Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Interior Dr Raymond Omollo on Saturday stormed Kisumu city with a firm message: security will hold and political hooliganism will be crushed.
He vowed a ruthless crackdown on leaders and hired goons spreading chaos across the Nyanza region.
His visit comes amid rising alarm over the return of politically sponsored gangs targeting rivals, dissenting voices, terrorising businesses, and threatening the hard-won peace of the lakeside city.
Dr Omollo’s tour comes just two weeks after Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi was attacked in broad daylight at a restaurant—an incident that triggered fierce criticism from the opposition, who accused him, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, and the wider security apparatus of turning a blind eye as political intolerance gains ground ahead of the next General Election.
He made it clear that every political outfit has the right to hold meetings anywhere in Kenya, stressing that the country is anchored on democracy and the rule of law.
However, he warned that freedom must operate within order, with public gatherings and rallies following laid-down legal procedures.
“If there is intention to have a public rally, protest, or petition, the police need to be notified in good time, and every Kenyan is free to engage and publicly meet others in any part of the country, not just in Kisumu,” said Dr Omollo.
His remarks come as the Linda Mwananchi faction of the Orange Democratic Movement plans to hold a political rally in Kisumu on April 26.
The team, led by Siaya Governor James Orengo, ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, had claimed that goons were being organised to violently disrupt the meetings.
Some individuals and leaders had also warned the team against stepping into the lakeside city to hold their meetings.
But Dr Omollo assured the opposition that they are free to hold gatherings within the confines of the law.
“We will protect the rights of every Kenyan, whether you are agitating for something, for or against the government. Everybody must have the right to engage the public. No one should feel threatened, and no one should threaten anybody,” he said.
He added: “If you want to come and have engagements, follow the laid-down procedure. Those not interested in your function must also be allowed to go on with their lives uninterrupted. As a government, that is part of our responsibility.”
He stressed that the government will not allow any politician to misuse the youth to cause violence or threaten political rivals.
“Once in a while, we get instances where some leaders or politicians want to take advantage of youth unemployment to use young people to cause chaos or disrupt meetings. My plea is that we should treat our youth as an important resource and support government programmes,” said Dr Omollo.
In a subtle attack on Mr Orengo and Mr Owino, who had vowed to lead protests should the government violate people’s rights, Dr Omollo said the time for demonstrations was over in Nyanza and urged leaders to focus on development.
The Interior PS was speaking in Kisumu during an engagement with boda boda sector leaders in Kisumu County, bringing together representatives from all seven constituencies—Kisumu East, Kisumu West, Kisumu Central, Seme, Nyando, Nyakach, and Muhoroni.
Dr Omollo was accompanied by Health PS Dr Ouma Oluga, Kisumu Deputy Governor Dr Mathew Owili, Kisumu Central MP Joshua Oron, Lang’ata MP Phelix Jalang’o Odiwuor, and a security team led by Nyanza Regional Police Commander Gisiri Nyamohanga.
Dr Omollo and Ms Nyamohanga responded to a plea by boda boda operators’ chairman Kevin Mbadi, who requested the release of motorbikes impounded over petty offences.
When she rose to speak, Ms Nyamohanga issued an order directing that the release of the motorbikes begin on Sunday.
“I am going to make a communication immediately, and all boda boda operators who fall in this category should go to their respective police stations and collect their motorbikes,” she said.
In a direct intervention to ease the burden on operators, Dr Omollo reaffirmed the government’s directive, issued under President William Ruto, for the immediate release of motorbikes impounded for petty offences.
These include motorbikes confiscated for wrongful parking, expired licences, or lack of insurance.
Dr Omollo, however, clarified that cases involving serious offences will continue to be handled in accordance with the law and called on the sector to uphold discipline and accountability.
“All motorbikes held on account of petty offences will be released. This directive is being effected to ease the burden on operators and restore their livelihoods. However, for those with serious offences, the law will take its course. We must work together and ensure proper identification,” he said.
He added that operators must have insurance for their motorbikes and valid driving licences that allow them to ride and carry passengers.
The Interior PS said the misuse of youth for violence is not new but noted that the current administration is taking deliberate steps to address youth challenges through initiatives such as NYOTA, the affordable housing programme—which employs more than 600,000 Kenyans—and digital jobs.
