Linda Mwananchi rallies hit by clashes in Homa Bay

Clashes broke out in parts of Homa Bay County as the Linda Mwananchi movement held rallies in the region, with protesters reporting roadblocks and confrontations with groups opposed to the political gatherings.

The rallies, led by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, were part of the movement’s planned activities as it expands its presence beyond Nairobi ahead of Kenya’s 2027 general election.

Organisers said they had notified authorities of the rallies, but supporters encountered resistance in several areas, including attempts to block roads and disruptions that escalated into confrontations.

Witnesses and participants reported burning tyres and sporadic violence as rival groups faced off, while police were deployed to contain the unrest.

The clashes have heightened concerns about the potential for political violence as Kenya moves towards the 2027 elections, when political mobilisation is expected to intensify across the country.

Supporters of Linda Mwananchi described the large crowds that turned out for the rallies as evidence of growing public support for the movement. They also praised participants for continuing with the gatherings despite what they described as intimidation and attacks.

Kenya’s opposition stepped up criticism of President William Ruto’s government on Monday after clashes during a Linda Mwananchi political rally in Homa Bay, with Wiper Patriotic Front leader Kalonzo Musyoka accusing the state of allowing or sponsoring political goonism.

Kalonzo, speaking in Machakos County on Sunday, said the violence targeting opposition supporters, Sifuna and journalists was unacceptable and challenged Ruto to take responsibility for maintaining security.

“What happened in Homa Bay is clearly not acceptable,” Kalonzo said, arguing that failure by the government to protect citizens could have serious constitutional consequences.

He accused government-aligned political actors of organising violence against opposition groups and questioned why Linda Mwananchi supporters had faced attacks while conducting political activities.

Kalonzo also linked the Homa Bay incidents to an earlier confrontation involving former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s political convoy in Nakuru, saying the incidents pointed to a wider pattern of political intolerance.

“Ruto himself promised the country that his government will end goonism,” Kalonzo said, questioning why political violence continued despite those assurances.

The allegations of state involvement had surfaced before the Homa Bay rallies. Gachagua had accused Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo and Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga of involvement in an alleged plan to mobilise youths to disrupt the opposition gathering. He did not provide evidence to support the claims.

Senior Counsel Ahmednasir Abdullahi criticised what he described as “regional goonism”, arguing that the violence surrounding political activities raised questions about the ability of security agencies to protect citizens and guarantee the right to peaceful assembly.

He also called for changes at the Interior Ministry, saying the government needed to take stronger measures to prevent political violence and ensure equal protection for competing political groups.

Government officials have denied plans to facilitate political violence and said all political groups have a right to hold peaceful meetings.

Omollo said political formations were free to conduct activities anywhere in Kenya, while warning that anyone attempting to disrupt political gatherings would face action. Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen also said security agencies had been instructed to prevent violence.

The Homa Bay violence nevertheless triggered renewed scrutiny of the government’s handling of political gatherings and the role of police in protecting competing political groups.

The unrest also affected journalists covering the rallies, with some reporting assaults and arrests. The incidents have raised fresh concerns about the safety of media workers during political events and the need for security agencies to protect journalists carrying out their duties.

Arrests in Nairobi

The political tensions extended to Nairobi on Monday, where six protesters were arrested outside Jogoo House while demonstrating against Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja.

The protesters were reportedly demanding Kanja’s resignation and greater accountability within the National Police Service.

Their arrests added to criticism from opposition figures and civil society groups over the handling of demonstrations and political dissent.

The demonstrations and clashes come as Kenyan political leaders begin positioning themselves for the 2027 elections, with opposition groups increasingly using rallies to challenge Ruto’s administration.

In Homa Bay, local politicians also sought to distance themselves from the violence and called for political competition based on ideas rather than confrontation.

Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo condemned the violence, saying she was opposed to the kind of politics witnessed during the Homa Bay clashes.

“I hate the kind of politics witnessed in Homa Bay,” Odhiambo said, describing the use of crude weapons in political confrontations as unacceptable.

“Brother against brother using pangas, sister against sister using pangas. Attack your opponents with ideas,” she said.

Suba South MP Caroli Omondi, meanwhile, said the political strength of the Nyanza region had historically been strengthened by its alliances with other Kenyan communities.

He said the Linda Mwananchi movement would seek to preserve those relationships as it builds its political network.

“President Ruto will not be re-elected. All those who voted for him have left,” Omondi said, without providing evidence for the claim.

He said Linda Mwananchi would maintain the friendships and political relationships built over the years by veteran opposition leader Raila Odinga, widely known as Baba.

Concerns ahead of 2027

The competing accusations have revived memories of previous Kenyan election cycles in which political competition sometimes descended into violence, particularly along ethnic and community lines.

Kenya’s Constitution guarantees freedom of expression, assembly and association, but political rallies have repeatedly become flashpoints for confrontation between rival groups.

The Homa Bay clashes have also raised concerns about the potential use of organised youth groups in political mobilisation as the 2027 election approaches.

Kalonzo warned that the government’s responsibility went beyond providing security at individual political meetings, arguing that the president would ultimately be held responsible if political violence escalated.

He also referred to the International Criminal Court’s Rome Statute, warning of the potential legal consequences of using militias in political violence.

Governor Wavinya Ndeti backed Kalonzo’s call for political leaders to be allowed to campaign freely across the country, while Matungulu MP Stephen Mule warned that growing political intolerance could threaten the 2027 election.

For communities in Homa Bay, the political confrontation risks overshadowing pressing economic concerns, including poor roads, limited employment opportunities and the rising cost of living.

With political activity expected to intensify in the months ahead, pressure is likely to grow on security agencies to act impartially and on political leaders to restrain their supporters.

The immediate challenge for Kenya will be to ensure that increasingly fierce political competition does not translate into violence, while protecting citizens’ constitutional right to participate in political activities and express opposing views.

For a country still shaped by the memory of previous election-related violence, the events in Homa Bay provide an early warning of the risks ahead as the 2027 contest takes shape.