Several people were injured after rival groups of youths clashed outside St Stephen’s ACK Cathedral in Kisumu on Sunday during a church fundraiser attended by Siaya Governor James Orengo and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna.
The confrontation took place outside the church in the Millimani area, where members of the Kenya Anglican Men Association (KAMA) were holding a fundraising event.
Witnesses said the rival groups, some allegedly armed with crude weapons, fought outside the church compound before one group was dispersed.
Police recovered bows and arrows from the scene, according to church leaders. Several motorcycles were also set on fire during the violence.The motive for the clash was not immediately clear.
The incident came amid heightened political tensions ahead of the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election.
Maseno South Diocese Bishop Charles Onginjo said he had received information earlier in the day warning that a group of youths was allegedly being armed at a nearby park.
Displaying arrows recovered after the incident, Bishop Onginjo told the congregation that he believed the attack had been prevented from escalating.
He condemned what he described as rising political violence and called for tolerance among leaders across the political divide.
“Our leaders must learn to tolerate one another and embrace dialogue at all times,” he said.
Governor Orengo criticised large cash donations made by some senior government officials during church fundraising events, questioning the source of the money.
He alleged that some Cabinet secretaries donate millions of shillings at weekend fundraisers despite earning salaries that, he argued, do not match such contributions.
“Some people carry between five and ten million shillings to these functions. That amounts to open bribery,” he said.
He urged the government instead to finance stalled development projects.The governor also called for a broader national dialogue on issues affecting the country.
Turning to opposition politics, Orengo said the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) had changed from the party he once knew, claiming it had been taken over by President William Ruto.
He also criticised attempts to replace Senator Sifuna as the party’s secretary-general, describing the move as undemocratic.
Orengo dismissed reports of divisions within the Linda Mwananchi movement, saying the appearance of both leaders at the Kisumu church service demonstrated their unity.
“I invited Edwin Sifuna because there have been claims that Linda Mwananchi is divided. Today shows that we are together, we are walking together and we shall not be divided,” he said.
Senator Sifuna echoed the governor’s remarks, urging supporters to remain united despite political pressure.
“We must remain united. Whatever attempts are made to divide us, we will stay together,” he said.
He also called for greater unity between the Luo and Luhya communities, saying efforts to create divisions between them would not succeed.
While Orengo and Mr Sifuna attended the service in Kisumu, another group of Linda Mwananchi leaders, including Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata and Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi, attended a separate church service at the AIPCA Cathedral in Nyahururu before holding political engagements.
Orengo also called for a change of leadership in the 2027 general election, while saying the country should avoid replacing “Ruto with another Ruto”.
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