Homa Bay Town has been at the centre of a political confrontation, as accusations flew between Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma and leaders associated with the Linda Mwananchi movement over violence reported during a rally in the county.
Kaluma has accused Siaya Governor James Orengo and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino of organising and financing groups that allegedly attacked residents during the rally, claims the two leaders have denied.
In a series of allegations, Kaluma claimed the violence was funded by former President Uhuru Kenyatta and that Orengo and Babu recruited individuals he described as dangerous criminals to disrupt the rally.
“The violence which was meted out on Homabay people and the 16th August rally was wholly funded by President Uhuru Kenyatta,” Kaluma said.
He alleged that the two leaders brought groups armed with guns, machetes, arrows and rungus into Homa Bay and accused them of making threats during media briefings ahead of the rally.
Kaluma further alleged that supporters were recruited from towns and driving centres across Homa Bay County, including students from colleges and universities, and offered Sh3,000 to participate in the rally.
He claimed groups of alleged hired youths were accommodated in hotels in Homa Bay and Kisumu for about a week before the August 16 event.
Kaluma also made claims involving security officials, alleging that a person identified as Brian Weke delivered Sh5 million to a regional police command for police support on the day of the rally.
He further alleged that the regional police commander’s operations were moved from Kisumu to Migori on the day of the event, leaving her unavailable to direct the police response.
Kaluma’s claims were not independently verified, and he did not provide evidence in the statements cited to substantiate the allegations of payments, recruitment or coordination with police.
He also claimed that police operational orders had mischaracterised individuals intercepted on August 15 as people intending to disrupt the rally, rather than alleged recruits of the organisers.
Orengo rejects accusations
Orengo rejected the characterisation of the Linda Mwananchi rallies as violent, saying the movement had conducted peaceful events across the country.
“I think it is on record that everywhere we have gone as Linda Mwananchi, across the country, there has been peace except when there is interference by the Kenya Kwanza government,” Orengo said.
His remarks point to a different account of the events, with the governor attributing disruptions to interference by government supporters rather than organisers of the rallies.
Babu also accused elected leaders of organising attacks against the movement’s supporters as they travelled to Homa Bay.
“Yesterday, we encountered some occupational hazards as we were going to Homa Bay,” Babu said, alleging that the attacks were organised by elected leaders.
He warned that the political contest would continue into the 2027 General Election, directly targeting Kaluma.
“Come 2027, Peter Kaluma will not see the doors of Parliament again,” Babu said, adding that he and his supporters would campaign to remove the MP from office.
Babu raises ethnic tensions concerns
Babu also criticised what he described as attempts to use political differences to divide communities.
He cited President William Ruto’s visit to Migori, saying no violence was reported during the visit, and accused political leaders of attempting to incite Luo and Kikuyu communities against each other.
“Ruto went to Migori and nobody was hurt, yet now Luos and Kikuyus are being incited against each other because of politics,” he said.
He further challenged the political establishment over its record in delivering change, arguing that voters had repeatedly elected leaders who had failed to meet their expectations.
The Embakasi East MP also defended the right of citizens to express their political views, saying attempts to prevent rallies would not stop the movement.
“You can block roads, but you can never block the determination of the people,” Babu said.
He also invoked the legacy of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, questioning the state of democracy within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).
“The spirit of Baba, wherever he is, is not happy with what is happening in his own party, ODM,” Babu said.
The competing accounts come amid heightened political activity ahead of the 2027 General Election, with rallies and political alignments increasingly becoming a source of confrontation between rival groups.
The allegations made by Kaluma, Orengo and Babu regarding the Homa Bay violence remain contested, and independent investigations would be required to establish responsibility for any criminal acts committed during the August 16 rally.
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