Ruth Odinga Issues Warning After Abdi Sebo's Arrest Sparks Chaos in Homa Bay

Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga has warned individuals financing and organising goonism to stop the practice, following chaos in Homa Bay Town after the arrest of Kassim Abdi Sebo.

In a statement on Friday, October 9, Ruth said police arrested Sebo on Thursday night, weeks after chaos was witnessed during a Linda Mwananchi rally in Homa Bay County in August.

"Last night, police in Homa Bay arrested Kassim Abdi Sebo, whom they described as a 'chief goon', weeks after chaos at a Linda Mwananchi rally in the county in August," she wrote.

Ruth said Sebo's arrest was followed by unrest in Homa Bay Town's central business district, where she accused his alleged associates of causing destruction, breaking into businesses and looting property.

She also linked the unrest to the destruction of public infrastructure, arguing that the incidents undermined development efforts in the region.

"Immediately after he was arrested, his alleged lieutenants created anarchy within Homa Bay Town's central business district, breaking into businesses and looting, burning tires on the tarmac - the very development all of us are saying we need," she added.

Ruth warned that supporting individuals involved in political violence could eventually create a problem that becomes difficult for authorities to control.

She cautioned those financing and organising goonism that the consequences of their actions could extend beyond their intended targets.

"This is what happens when you feed a dragon. Now there are consequences when you touch 'chief goons'. To the financiers and organizers of goonism, stop feeding the dragon. It is growing, and soon even the government will fail to slay it," she further said.

Protests erupted in Homa Bay after detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) arrested Sebo. 

He is accused of being behind the chaos witnessed during the Linda Mwananchi rally, and was charged with robbery with violence.

The DCI detectives also arrested seven other suspects who were allegedly obstructing them during the operation. 

They include Achiando Victor Odhiambo, Isaac Masika Muliro, Oyege Moses Geoffrey, Geoffrey Njore, Odhiambo Wesley Arnold, Joseph Kobila, and Alfred Nyagiro Aliwa.

Following the police operation, angry youths lit bonfires and barrifaded roads.

The irate protestors demanded the immediate release of Sebo and the other suspects who were nabbed by the DCI officers. 

The tension persisted into Friday morning, forcing matatu operators to suspend services in the town and businesses to shut down.

Suba North Member of Parliament Millie Odhiambo described the situation in Homa Bay town as sad. 

"What is going on in Homabay is sad. It was planted. It took root. It germinated. It is producing fruit. Sad by a lot. Lit by a lot," she wrote. 

On Sunday, August 16, violence was witnessed during the Linda Mwananchi Rally in Homa Bay County. 

The National Police Service (NPS) in a statement five police vehicles were damaged, journalists were attacked, and a police officer was killed during the incident. 

The service noted that 37 suspects were apprehended in connection with the violence. 

"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," NPS said. 

However, 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.