Homa Bay MP Peter Kaluma has accused Siaya Governor James Orengo, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino and other leaders associated with the Linda Mwanaichi movement of orchestrating violence during the group’s rally on Sunday.
The allegations have not been independently verified, and the leaders named have not publicly responded to them.
Speaking at a press briefing, Kaluma alleged that the violence was premeditated and involved recruiting and deploying armed individuals to Homa Bay ahead of the rally.
He also alleged that the operation was financed by former President Uhuru Kenyatta, saying he had evidence which he had submitted to security agencies for investigation.
“This violence and the 16th August rally was solely funded by President Uhuru Kenyatta to undertake that violence,” Mr Kaluma alleged.
He accused Orengo and Owino of recruiting what he described as dangerous criminals and transporting them to Homa Bay in the days before the rally.
Kaluma claimed some of the individuals were intercepted by police on 15 August while travelling from Kisumu towards Homa Bay.
He alleged that police recovered crude weapons from the vehicles, although he said a suspected gang leader escaped during the operation.
The MP further claimed that the individuals were accommodated in hotels across the county before the rally, while local youths and students were mobilised to attend the event.
He said tensions increased after political leaders made statements which he described as inflammatory.
“All these were meant to incite violence and provoke the people before the rally,” Kaluma said.
He also made allegations about the financing of the operation, claiming that Sh100m was delivered to Orengo’s home in Ugenya, Siaya, on the night of 14 August in two suitcases before being moved to Kisumu the following day.
Kaluma also accused the police of failing to prevent the violence and instead escorting the Linda Mwanaichi procession through Homa Bay town despite warnings that tensions were high.
“Police who were in several Land Cruisers and lorries escorting the Linda Mwanaichi team cleared the way for them through town shooting people with live bullets,” he alleged.
He claimed several people were injured in clashes and that at least one woman was killed after being hit by a vehicle associated with leaders accompanying the procession.
The claims could not be independently verified from the information available.
Kaluma called for investigations into the conduct of senior police officers whom he accused of facilitating the violence.
He also called for increased security for Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, saying she remained at risk following the events.
“We demand security provision for the Governor of Homa Bay County, Her Excellency Gladys Wanga,” he said.
He urged security agencies, including the National Intelligence Service and, where legally applicable, the Kenya Defence Forces, to investigate the allegations and prosecute anyone found responsible.
Kaluma also called for the investigation and arrest of individuals he accused of participating in the violence, while saying that formal investigations should establish what happened.
“We demand investigations and action by the state security apparatus of the funding and support to the Linda Mwanaichi group,” he said.
He praised Homa Bay residents and ODM youth for what he described as restraint, saying a more violent confrontation could have resulted in greater loss of life.
The allegations come amid heightened political tensions in the region, with rival political factions trading accusations over the events surrounding the 16 August rally.
Those named in the allegations have the right to respond, while any criminal responsibility would need to be established through due process.
“I have sent it to all the security apparatus for action with necessary evidence and material,” Kaluma said.
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