Linda Mwananchi leaders raise alarm over alleged plot to disrupt Homa Bay rallies

Linda Mwananchi flag bearers at a previous rally [File, Standard]

Linda Mwananchi leaders have raised alarm over an alleged plot to disrupt their rallies in Homa Bay County this weekend, accusing local political leaders of mobilising goons to block the movement’s leaders and supporters from accessing planned venues.

The leaders, led by Caroli Omondi, called on Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja and other security agencies to intervene and guarantee the safety of the movement’s leaders, supporters and residents ahead of the planned tour.

“We have very elaborate plans to mete out violence against us and the people of Homa Bay County during our tour next Sunday,” Omondi said, claiming the movement had received information about a meeting held at Genoa Centre in Homa Bay Town, which he described as Governor Gladys Wanga’s campaign headquarters.

Omondi alleged that the meeting was attended by Wanga, Vihiga Governor Wilber Ottichilo, Hunter Bukaluma and an MCA identified as Ogindo, where plans to disrupt the movement’s tour were allegedly discussed.

According to Omondi, those allegedly involved planned to mobilise groups to block the movement from accessing Homa Bay Town, including deploying people around Kabunde Airstrip under the guise of voter registration activities.

He said the group also intended to block roads and bridges leading into Homa Bay Town and place rocks, concrete materials and electricity poles along access routes to prevent the movement from reaching its venues.

Omondi further alleged that goons could be stationed around hotels where members of the movement are expected to spend the night before the rallies, while county enforcement officers could also be used to interfere with their activities.

The movement claimed to have obtained audio recordings relating to the alleged plans and said the recordings had been shared with Kanja, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo, the Director of National Intelligence Service and the Director of Criminal Investigations.

Omondi added that the recordings had also been shared with President William Ruto because those allegedly involved were claiming to be acting in the name of the President.

The accusations come as Linda Mwananchi steps up its political mobilisation ahead of the 2027 General Election, taking its campaign to different parts of the country as it seeks to establish a national political base.

Embakasi East MP Babu Owino questioned why Homa Bay leaders would allegedly seek to disrupt the movement’s activities and harm their own people, arguing that Linda Mwananchi had held rallies in other parts of Western Kenya without similar incidents.

“We went to Bungoma, Trans Nzoia and Vihiga, and no leader supporting the government organised goons to disrupt our rallies. So why are Homa Bay Governor Gladys, her Migori counterpart Ochilo Ayako and other leaders allegedly planning to use goons to disrupt Linda Mwananchi rallies in Homa Bay County this coming weekend?” Owino questioned.

Owino challenged the police leadership to ensure that the movement is allowed to conduct its activities peacefully, saying political competition should not degenerate into violence.

“The ball is in your court. You have to do your work. Your work is to maintain law and order. You must protect lives, you must protect property,” he said.

The Linda Mwananchi leaders also alleged that Homa Bay MCAs planning to attend their rallies had been threatened with punitive measures.

Omondi claimed that about 30 MCAs had been threatened with salary cuts, removal from committees and other forms of punishment if they participated in the movement’s activities.

He urged the MCAs to remain vigilant and resist what he described as intimidation aimed at preventing them from exercising their political rights.

The leaders further claimed that the alleged threats had specifically targeted some of their prominent figures, including Babu Owino, Wino and Governor James Orengo.

Omondi said it was now the responsibility of the security agencies to ensure that roads remain open and that the movement’s leaders can access Homa Bay from the airport, reach their hotels and attend the rallies without intimidation.

“We are calling upon the IG to guarantee us that we will be safe in Homa Bay on Sunday,” he said.

The movement also sought to frame the alleged threats as an issue involving individual political actors rather than an ethnic confrontation, urging residents not to interpret the claims as a conflict between communities.

“We want to make it very clear that those organising the crimes, organising in their own personal capacity, is not a war between the Luo community and the rest of Kenyans,” said Funyula MP Wilberforce Oundo.

The leaders urged Homa Bay residents to turn out for the planned rallies, while calling on the national security apparatus to protect the movement’s right to peaceful assembly.

The accusations come as political mobilisation gathers pace ahead of the 2027 elections, with emerging formations seeking to establish grassroots networks and challenge established political alliances.