Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma has demanded investigations into political leaders and security officials over the violence that erupted in Homa Bay during the Linda Mwananchi rally on Sunday, August 16, 2026.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, August 18, Kaluma called for investigations into Siaya Governor James Orengo, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, former President Uhuru Kenyatta, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, and other individuals he linked to the events surrounding the rally.
Kaluma also demanded enhanced security for Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, saying her safety remained a concern following the events witnessed in the county.
In his statement, Kaluma said tensions had been building in Homa Bay before the rally, accusing Orengo of making hostile remarks against Governor Wanga and other elected leaders during his visits to the county.
He said Orengo returned to Homa Bay several times, accompanied by groups of youths whom he described as armed and dangerous.
“Governor James Orengo went to Homa Bay County, where he addressed people in public. In his address, he directed vulgar, unprintable abuses at the Governor of Homa Bay,” Kaluma said.
The MP further claimed that Orengo later returned to Homa Bay through the lake before proceeding to Sindo, where he addressed residents.
Kaluma said the political tension intensified after the Linda Mwananchi team announced plans for a rally in Homa Bay.
He said Orengo and Babu Owino made a series of media appearances in which they issued statements he considered threatening and inflammatory.
“Governor James Orengo and Babu Owino did several subsequent press addresses to the media during which they threatened violence upon the people of Homa Bay,” Kaluma said.
The MP also claimed that organisers had mobilised youths from different parts of the region ahead of the rally.
According to Kaluma, some youths were brought into Homa Bay and accommodated in hotels in preparation for the event. He said he responded by warning hotel operators and local residents about the presence of the groups.
“I informed them that the Linda Mwananchi team had brought thugs into Homa Bay and booked them in local hotels to harm our people on 16th August, 2026,” he said.
Kaluma also referred to an incident on August 15 in which police intercepted vehicles carrying some of the youths travelling towards Homa Bay from Kisumu.
He said crude weapons were recovered during the operation and that one of the individuals police identified as a gang leader escaped.
The MP linked the incident to the violence that followed during the August 16 rally.
Kaluma said the Linda Mwananchi team held rallies in Nyandiwa and Sindo before travelling towards Homa Bay Town in the evening.
He claimed that the convoy entered Homa Bay Town at around 7pm when tension was high.
“As area MP I contacted the County Police Commandant and asked him to exit the convoy out of Homa Bay away from town, noting the town was too crowded, tension was high and it was dark,” Kaluma said.
He criticised the decision to allow the convoy through the town and accused some security officers of failing to prevent violence.
According to Kaluma, clashes followed as the convoy moved through Homa Bay Town and later Kendu Bay.
He said one person died and several others were injured during the violence.
“The vehicle carrying Babu Owino and Edwin Sifuna hit and killed Lorraine, who was a Linda Mwananchi agent,” Kaluma said.
He further claimed that people accompanying the convoy attacked residents as the procession moved through the town.
Kaluma also raised concerns about the role played by the police during the incident, accusing security officers of providing protection to people involved in the violence.
“Throughout their journey of violence in Homa Bay County, the Linda Mwananchi team had the full support and were escorted by lorries and landcruisers of police including GSU officers,” he said.
The MP called for the transfer of the Nyanza Regional Police Commandant and other officers whom he accused of facilitating the violence.
“We demand the immediate transfer from Homa Bay of the Nyanza Regional Police Commandant and all the officers who aided the meting of violence upon our people,” Kaluma said.
He also called for investigations and prosecution of Orengo, Babu Owino, Karoli Omondi and Edwin Sifuna.
“We demand immediate and firm action against the Linda Mwananchi leadership,” Kaluma said. “We ask the state security apparatus to arrest and prosecute Governor James Orengo, Honorable Babu Owino, Honorable Caroli Omondi and Edwin Sifuna for planning, killing and maiming our people under the guise of the 16th August, 2026 rally.”
Kaluma further demanded investigations into the individuals he said had been recruited to participate in the violence.
“We demand the immediate arrest of all the listed thugs and criminals Governor James Orengo, Honorable Babu Owino and Edwin Sifuna used to harm our people,” he said.
The MP also raised questions about funding linked to the movement, calling for investigations into the role of former President Uhuru Kenyatta and Gachagua.
“We demand investigations and action by the State Security Apparatus of the funding and support to the Linda Mwananchi Group by President Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta and Rigathi Gachagua,” Kaluma said.
He further demanded adequate security for Governor Wanga, saying the political confrontation had raised concerns over her safety.
“We demand adequate security provision for the Governor of Homa Bay County H.E. Gladys Wanga. The thugs had instructions from their principals to kill her on 16th August, 2026. Her life remains under grim danger and threat,” he said.
Kaluma concluded by thanking Homa Bay residents and ODM youth for what he described as restraint despite the tensions.
“I want to thank our people for keeping peace against provocation and incitement to violence,” he said, adding that young people and the Homa Bay ODM Youth League had exercised restraint during the confrontation.
The allegations and calls for prosecution contained in Kaluma’s statement are demands for investigation and action. The statement itself does not establish the criminal liability of the individuals named.
