Principal Secretary for Interior and National Coordination Dr Raymond Omollo has issued a stern warning to politicians who intervene to secure the release of youths arrested for criminal activities, declaring that the government will no longer tolerate leaders who shield lawbreakers.
Speaking during an engagement forum with Homa Bay County youth leaders on Friday, August 7, Omollo said the government is determined to restore law and order by ensuring that those involved in violence and criminal acts face the full force of the law without political interference.
He stressed that while the government wants police officers to maintain close working relations with young people, anyone who engages in criminal activities will be held personally accountable.
“We are not going to tolerate anyone breaking the law, but we want police to work so closely with our youth. Going forward, there will be no leader called upon to bail out a youth who has compromised security or caused chaos. The phone calls saying, ‘Our youth leader has been arrested,’ must come to an end,” Omollo said.
The PS cited recent events involving ODM Homa Bay County Youth Leader Abdi Kassim, who was arrested on Tuesday after allegedly threatening Linda Mwananchi coordinator Samuel Nyaoke and human rights activist Evince Oloo. Kassim was later released after police concluded there was insufficient evidence to sustain the allegations.
Omollo urged residents not to seek revenge over the incident, saying peace and reconciliation should take precedence over retaliation. He assured those affected that the government would facilitate compensation for any property destroyed during the unrest.
“Nobody should seek revenge. If anything was destroyed, we shall pay for it, but peace must prevail. From now on, anyone who causes chaos will be held accountable, and no political leader will intervene on their behalf,” he said.
The Interior PS also appealed to Homa Bay youth to remain peaceful during upcoming political activities by the Linda Mwananchi movement, warning that some groups could deliberately provoke confrontations for political gain.
He urged young people to avoid being drawn into violence, insisting that political actors should be allowed to conduct their activities peacefully before leaving.
Omollo further pledged to restore what he described as the dignity of the Luo community, saying the region should not be associated with violence or political unrest.
“We will not allow the Luo nation to be used to ignite chaos in this country. Let those engaging in politics do so peacefully and move on. Our youth should not be used as instruments of violence,” he said.
On youth empowerment, Omollo revealed that 3,217 young people are direct beneficiaries of the government’s Nyota programme. However, he encouraged unemployed youth to enrol in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions to acquire practical skills, arguing that long-term employability is more valuable than short-term empowerment initiatives.
He noted that while government support programmes are important, technical skills provide sustainable opportunities for young people and contribute to national development.
Turning to politics, Omollo said leaders from the Luo region had resolved to support President William Ruto, citing the leadership of Dr Oburu Oginga and Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga as having provided political direction for the region.
He urged residents to highlight the development projects implemented by the Kenya Kwanza administration across Luo Nyanza and called on eligible youth to register as voters.
According to the PS, voter registration data collected across constituencies in the Luo region indicates steady progress, although 7,040 eligible residents in Homa Bay County are yet to register.
He challenged young people to spearhead voter registration campaigns to ensure every eligible resident obtains a voter’s card ahead of future elections.
