Siaya Governor James Orengo has affirmed that the Linda Mwananchi rally scheduled for August 16 in Homa Bay will take place despite reported threats and efforts to obstruct the event.
Orengo emphasized that the Kenyan Constitution guarantees freedoms including movement, association, and peaceful assembly, which he said some local leaders in Homa Bay are ignoring by attempting to block opposition leaders from entering the county.
He criticized these leaders for "living in the past," comparing the current situation to times before Kenya embraced multiparty democracy when political access was restricted in certain regions.
Orengo assured supporters that opposition leaders, including himself, Brian Weke, Edwin Sifuna, and Babu Owino, will attend the rally regardless of intimidation tactics.
He further alleged that weapons such as rungus, arrows, and pangas were distributed in secret meetings as part of preparations to attack rally participants, with some weapons reportedly stored locally. He also claimed traders were being discouraged from traveling to Homa Bay to attend the event.
Brian Weke, one of the rally organisers, stated that the police had been formally notified and urged them to uphold their duty to protect lives and property. He also reported arrests of some supporters and damage to properties linked to the Linda Mwananchi campaign.
Both leaders appealed to residents and youths in Homa Bay to avoid violence, invoking the late Raila Odinga’s legacy of respecting free expression despite political differences. They warned against allowing political rivalry to escalate into conflict, recalling the 2007/08 post-election violence as a cautionary example.
These developments come amid intensified political mobilisation ahead of the 2027 General Election, with opposition activities gaining momentum across Kenya.
