A high-stakes political tour in Homa Bay County spiraled into terrifying turmoil when violent clashes erupted during the ‘Linda Mwananchi’ movement rally, leaving a police officer dead, multiple people injured, vehicles set ablaze, and local sanctuaries vandalized.
The tension ignited as a motorcade carrying Siaya Governor James Orengo and other opposition heavyweights journeyed toward their destination. In Ndhiwa, barricades blocked the route as groups of hostile youths ambushed the convoy with crude weapons, stone-throwing, and direct physical assault.
The unrest rapidly spread through trading centers, turning public roads into arenas of chaos where several cars were smashed, vandalized, and set on fire. The wave of destruction did not spare places of worship, as surrounding church structures were caught in the violent crossfire, sustaining property damage as fleeing crowds and mobs clashed in their precincts.
The encounter turned tragic between Olare and Nyangweso trading centers in Rangwe Sub-County. A senior police officer deployed to reinforce regional security sustained severe head trauma after a stone struck his vehicle.
He was rushed to a medical facility in Kisumu, where he succumbed to his injuries. At least eight other officers were wounded, prompting police to arrest dozens of armed suspects in an ongoing security crackdown.
Addressing the aftermath, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino forcefully rejected state accounts and video clips circulating online that alleged opposition figures initiated the violence.
Owino set the record straight on their movements, detailing that Governor Orengo departed Kisumu at 6:30 AM and drove straight into Homa Bay without making unscripted stops to incite crowds. He dismissed state-circulated video clips as “AI-generated” propaganda designed to shift blame away from sponsored goons and onto targeted leaders.
“Governor Orengo left Kisumu at 6:30 am, came straight to Homa Bay, and was attacked at Ndhiwa. There was no time for getting out of the car and entertaining any other person. Whatever you see, those are AI-generated. The government is very active, trying to defend themselves using fake clips to allege that we were also planning harm. Harm was on our way; we were not planning harm. To the goons, we will not be scared of you.”
Security agencies continue to hunt for the organizers behind the deadly attacks, while opposition leaders maintain they will not be intimidated from continuing their countrywide engagements.
