The ODM Party has condemned the violence that erupted in Homa Bay on Sunday, August 16, during a public rally organised by Linda Mwananchi.
In a statement on Tuesday, August 18, the party said the clashes resulted in loss of lives, injuries and destruction of property.
ODM stressed that political gatherings should not be allowed to degenerate into violence or intimidation.
"We strongly condemn the acts of hooliganism, thuggery and violence witnessed during the incident, which tragically resulted in loss of lives, injuries and destruction of property.
"No political gathering, whatever its organisers, objectives or message, should become an occasion for violence, intimidation or the disruption of the rights and livelihoods of citizens," the statement read.
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ODM said political disagreements should be addressed through democratic processes, including dialogue, persuasion and elections, while distancing itself from any violence carried out in its name.
"Political differences must therefore be settled through democratic engagement, persuasion and ultimately the ballot. ODM will never support, encourage or tolerate violence as a means of acquiring, exercising or retaining political leadership.
"Equally, no individual or group should invoke the name of our Party to justify acts of violence, intimidation or lawlessness," the statement added.
ODM expressed sympathy to those affected by the violence, including families who lost their loved ones, people who sustained injuries and individuals and businesses whose property was damaged.
"We convey our condolences to the families of those who lost their loved ones and wish a speedy recovery to all those who sustained injuries. We also sympathise with individuals and businesses whose property was damaged or destroyed," the statement further read.
ODM called for investigations into the circumstances surrounding the violence, urging security and investigative agencies to ensure that those found responsible for criminal acts face the law regardless of their political affiliations.
"ODM calls upon the relevant security and investigative agencies to conduct a prompt, impartial and professional investigation into the circumstances surrounding the violence. Those responsible for criminal acts must be identified and dealt with strictly in accordance with the law, irrespective of their political affiliation or status.
"At the same time, innocent citizens must be protected from arbitrary blame, harassment or collective punishment," the statement noted.
The party also urged political leaders, parties, caucuses and their supporters to exercise restraint as political activity intensifies across the country, warning against political competition turning into confrontation among communities and supporters.
"We further urge all political leaders, parties, caucuses and their supporters to exercise restraint and responsibility. As political activity intensifies across the country, our words and conduct must promote tolerance rather than hostility.
"Kenya's democratic space belongs to all its citizens, and political competition must never be allowed to degenerate into confrontation between communities, neighbours or supporters of competing political formations," the statement concluded.
Elsewhere, Linda Mwananchi has linked the National Intelligence Service (NIS) to the violence, alleging that its supporters apprehended a man who was travelling with some of the attackers in an unmarked vehicle.
In a statement on Monday, August 17, Linda Mwananchi said the circumstances surrounding the man’s presence raised questions about the coordination of those involved in the attacks.
"In Nyandiwa, our supporters apprehended an individual who was travelling with some of the attackers in an unmarked black Toyota Prado. The circumstances surrounding his presence were consistent with the coordination of the individuals deployed against us," the statement read.
The group said the individual identified himself as an NIS officer and that his mobile phone was seized and remains in its possession.
"Upon questioning, the individual identified himself as an officer of the National Intelligence Service. His mobile phone was taken into our custody and remains in our possession," the statement added.
Linda Mwananchi further claimed that its team began receiving repeated calls to the seized phone from people identifying themselves as senior police officers, who allegedly demanded that the device be returned.
"Since then, our team has received a continuous stream of calls to that phone from individuals identifying themselves as senior police officers, demanding its return," the statement further read.
Linda Mwananchi said it would preserve the phone as evidence and consult its legal team on how to proceed, including possible engagement with independent oversight and investigative agencies.
"We are treating this phone as evidence and will be guided by our legal team on the appropriate next steps, including engagement with any independent oversight and investigative bodies," the statement noted.
