Embakasi East MP Babu Owino and Siaya Governor James Orengo appeared at Kisumu Law Courts on July 27 to represent eight individuals linked to the Linda Mwananchi movement. The suspects were arrested following violent clashes that occurred on July 12 outside ACK St Stephen's Cathedral in Kisumu.
The unrest erupted during a church service attended by opposition leaders, including Orengo and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna. Police reported that the violence involved rival groups, resulting in one fatality, multiple injuries, the destruction of nine motorcycles, and damage to a police vehicle.
Both Owino and Orengo maintained that the eight arrested were innocent and had been wrongly detained. Owino stated that the supporters were protecting members of the Linda Mwananchi movement during the service, while Orengo called for the charges to be dropped.
The National Police Service condemned the violent acts as political intolerance and goonism, emphasizing that such behavior threatens national cohesion and violates constitutional rights to peaceful assembly and political participation. Police confirmed ongoing investigations to identify and apprehend additional suspects involved in the clashes.
Key Details:
- Incident date: July 12, 2026
- Location: ACK St Stephen's Cathedral, Kisumu
- Casualties: One person killed, several injured
- Damage: Nine motorcycles torched, police vehicle damaged
- Suspects arrested: Eight, currently in custody pending arraignment
The police warned that anyone involved in inciting violence or sponsoring criminal gangs would face legal consequences regardless of political status.
