Tension high in Homa Bay as six youth arrested for attacking Linda Mwananchi proponents

Linda Mwananchi leaders address a rally in Machakos town on May 31, 2026. [File-Standard]

There was tension in Homa Bay Town on Tuesday when police arrested six youth believed to have attacked four people associated with Linda Mwananchi Movement in Homa Bay Town.

The group of youth attacked Linda Mwananchi Co-ordinator Samuel Nyauke and human rights activist Evance Oloo in Homa Bay Town.

The drama started when the youth went into Nyauke’s office in Homa Bay Town and attacked him over his association with the Linda Mwanchi movement. Two other men who were with Nyauke were also injured and rushed to hospital for medication.

A few minutes later, they found Oloo on the way and assaulted him too.Nyauke and Oloo recorded statements at Homa Bay Police Station.

Speaking after recording the statement, Nyauke condemned the attack.

“It is wrong for someone to come to my office and attack me because of my affiliation to Linda Mwananchi. Being a member of Linda Mwananchi is my right, and nobody should intimidate me about it,” Nyauke said.

He said they will not bow to the intimidation.

“We are appealing to police to protect us. But if they cannot, we will have to protect ourselves,” Nyauke said.

Oloo said he knew the young man who attacked him.

“This is a notorious guy in this town. He first accused me of being associated with Linda Mwananchi. He then assaulted me,” Oloo said.

He appealed to police to arrest the attacker.

“Police must arrest him, but if not, we are going to mobilise the people against him,” Oloo said.

Human rights defender Michael Kojo appealed to political leaders to stop hiring youth to cause violence.

“Let our leaders give youth meaningful sources of livelihoods instead of hiring them to cause violence,” Kojo said.

A few hours later, police went to Homa Bay Bus Station to look for the youth who carried out the attack.

Upon the arrest, a group of rowdy youth said they could not keep quiet when their commander had been arrested.The youth finally attempted to storm Homa Bay Police Station, but police repulsed them.

Homa Bay County Police Commander Lawrence Koilem said they had arrested and detained the six youth.

“We are still managing the tension, but we have arrested six,” Koilem said.

The tension paralysed business in Homa Bay Town for about two hours. They threw stones at business premises.

Business operators had to close their businesses in fear of looting.