37 Arrested as NPS Launches Crackdown After Homa Bay Rally Violence

The National Police Service (NPS) has arrested 37 suspected gang members following violence witnessed during the Linda Mwananchi Rally in Homa Bay County on Sunday, August 16.

In a statement on Monday, August 17, NPS said the security deployment for the rally was coordinated by the Nyanza Regional Police Commander and was based on the nature and anticipated security requirements of the event. 

However, several incidents were reported during the rally, including attacks on journalists, damage to police and civilian vehicles, and the death of a police officer.

"Regrettably, several criminal incidents were recorded, including an attack on journalists performing their lawful duties, damage to five police vehicles deployed for public order maintenance, and damage to several civilian motor vehicles. In addition, one police vehicle lost control, resulting in the death of its driver and injuries to five other officers," the statement read.

The NPS said the Homa Bay incidents followed another confrontation involving police officers on Saturday, August 15, when three officers were injured while arresting suspected gang members along the Kisumu-Kericho Road. 

According to NPS, the incidents have brought the total number of injured officers in Kisumu and Homa Bay to eight, in addition to the officer who died in Homa Bay.

The service conveyed its condolences to the family of the deceased officer and wished the injured officers a swift recovery, while commending officers for continuing to perform their duties.

"A total of 37 suspected gang members have been arrested and were found in possession of various crude weapons, including machetes, ropes, metal rods, knives, rungus, batons and torches. The suspects will be processed accordingly and must face the full force of the law," the statement added.

NPS said police are also pursuing Oliver Jaoko, alias 'Olivetti', whom the NPS said remains at large. 

The service has called on him to surrender to the nearest police station as investigations into the violence continue.

"The NPS is pursuing Oliver Jaoko, alias "Olivetti," who is currently at large, and directs him to surrender to the nearest police station to assist with ongoing investigations. Operations to apprehend him and all other individuals involved in the violence are continuing," the statement further read.

The NPS said its investigations were not limited to those directly involved in the violence, adding that other individuals suspected of organising, facilitating or sponsoring criminal activities would also be pursued.

"The police are also pursuing other actors who may have participated in the mayhem, with a view to ensuring that all those responsible including organisers, facilitators and sponsors of criminal activities are identified and held accountable in accordance with the law," the statement noted.

NPS warned criminal gangs and individuals involved in recruiting, financing, mobilising or arming criminal elements against using political activities as a platform for violence, intimidation, attacks on police officers or destruction of property.

"Those who recruit, finance, mobilise, arm or otherwise facilitate criminal elements to cause violence and disorder will be pursued and brought to justice. The NPS will deploy all lawful means at its disposal to identify and apprehend those responsible and ensure that they face the full consequences of their actions," the statement explained.

Meanwhile, the Linda Mwananchi leadership disputed the police account of the Homa Bay violence, alleging that its leadership and supporters were subjected to a coordinated and premeditated campaign of violence and intimidation during their tour of the county.

The group claimed that the violence was not a spontaneous breakdown of law and order, but rather a deliberate operation allegedly carried out with the knowledge and participation of some police officers.

"In several instances, police officers who are constitutionally and legally obligated to protect us, appeared to be operating alongside goons attacking our convoy. Rather than standing between citizens and those perpetrating violence, some officers appeared to facilitate the disruption and intimidation of our supporters," the movement said.

Linda Mwananchi further alleged that some of the people involved in the attacks had been transported from several counties and Nairobi specifically to disrupt its Homa Bay tour and endanger its leadership and supporters.

"We have received credible information indicating that some of the individuals involved in the attacks were transported to Homa Bay from Kisumu, Siaya, Migori, Kisi and Nairobi for the specific purpose of disrupting our tour and endangering the lives of our leadership and supporters," the statement added.

Linda Mwananchi vowed to continue with its activities despite the violence, accusing the administration of President William Ruto of attempting to suppress the aspirations of ordinary Kenyans through intimidation, violence and alleged misuse of state institutions.

"Linda Mwananchi will not be intimidated into silence. If this administration led by President Ruto believes that the aspirations of ordinary Kenyans can be defeated through intimidation, violence and the misuse of state institutions, then yesterday's events have demonstrated the opposite," the movement further said.