Homa Bay Town MP Peter Opondo Kaluma has accused former President Uhuru Kenyatta of funding the violence witnessed during Sunday’s Linda Mwananchi rally in Homa Bay County, further alleging that Siaya Governor James Orengo and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino recruited criminal gangs to disrupt the event.
The violence left two people dead, 53 injured, six vehicles torched and property destroyed, with the value of the losses yet to be established.
Speaking to journalists in Nairobi on Tuesday afternoon, Kaluma claimed the violence was planned in advance and funded by Kenyatta, while accusing Orengo of bringing what he described as dangerous criminals into Homa Bay ahead of the rally.
“We want to confirm that the violence meted out on the people of Homa Bay during the 16th August rally was funded by Uhuru Kenyatta to undertake that violence. Governor James Orengo recruited very dangerous criminals, most of whom are facing murder trials and robbery with violence charges,” Kaluma alleged.
The legislator claimed some of the alleged gangs arrived in Homa Bay about a week before the rally to organise the violence.
Kaluma further accused Orengo of making what he termed vulgar and unprintable remarks against Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga during an earlier visit to the county.
He alleged that Orengo later returned to Homa Bay on August 16 accompanied by armed youths who allegedly attacked people who did not support the rally.
“Governor James Orengo returned to Homa Bay through the lake a week later accompanied by dangerous thugs who were armed with guns, pangas, machetes, arrows and rungus, who went ahead to beat anyone who was not supporting them,” Kaluma said.
According to the MP, the group proceeded to Sindo town, where he alleged that further attacks were carried out as the rally continued.
Kaluma also claimed that Orengo returned to Homa Bay for a third time with the same group and allegedly used a public address at Homa Bay Market to attack Governor Wanga and other elected leaders.
He further alleged that Orengo and Babu Owino had publicly boasted that they had enough goons to deal with anyone who opposed them during the rally.
The Homa Bay legislator went on to name several individuals he claimed were involved in organising or executing the violence, including Oliver Jaoko, popularly known as Oliveti, whom he alleged was the operational commander.
Kaluma claimed Jaoko was facing several serious criminal charges and alleged that police were aware of his whereabouts. He also named Lennox Omondi, described as the Siaya governor’s head of digital communication, as an alleged accomplice, alongside several other individuals.
The MP further accused Babu Owino of recruiting youths in Homa Bay, including college students, by allegedly offering them Sh3,000 to participate in the violence.
Kaluma also warned hotel and accommodation owners in Homa Bay against hosting people he described as hired criminals, urging them to maintain detailed records of their guests.
He clarified remarks he had previously made urging Homa Bay residents to stand firmly behind President William Ruto, saying he had been misquoted.
The legislator also alleged that Sh100 million was delivered to Orengo’s home in Siaya before being moved to his residence in Milimani, Kisumu, for use during the rally.
Kaluma further accused senior police officers of colluding with organisers of the Linda Mwananchi rally, alleging that the group was escorted by heavily armed General Service Unit officers and police trucks.
He claimed the regional police commander based in Kisumu personally led the security operation but alleged that his concerns were ignored.
The allegations come amid growing political tensions in the region following Sunday’s violence. Kaluma did not provide evidence publicly to substantiate the claims of funding, recruitment or police collusion, while the accused parties are yet to respond to the allegations.
