Police have arrested 15 people along the Kisumu-Kericho Road and accused them of planning to disrupt political activities in the region, as tensions rose ahead of a planned rally in Homa Bay.
The National Police Service said the suspects were arrested on Saturday, August 15, following an intelligence-led operation. Officers had received information about a group travelling in several vehicles and allegedly carrying crude weapons.
NPS spokesman Muchiri Nyaga said the suspects remained in custody as investigations continued.
“Preliminary investigations indicate that they are hired criminals who allegedly planned to disrupt political activities in the area,” Nyaga said.
Police have not said who allegedly hired the group or whether the suspects were specifically headed for Homa Bay, where the Linda Mwananchi Movement was scheduled to hold a rally on Sunday.
The arrests came as political tensions were building in parts of Nyanza.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations said its officers intercepted three vehicles after receiving intelligence about a group suspected of carrying weapons.
The vehicles included a grey Toyota Noah and two white Toyota Hiace vans. The vans were operating under a matatu Sacco on the Kisumu-Migori route.
A search of the vehicles and the suspects found mobile phones and several crude weapons, according to the police. These included machetes and pangas, knives, ropes and a metal rod.
One man believed by investigators to be the group’s leader escaped during the operation after reportedly jumping through a vehicle window. Detectives have begun searching for him.
The arrests came a day before the planned Linda Mwananchi rally in Homa Bay.
Early on Sunday, roads leading into and out of Homa Bay town were reportedly blocked with large stones. Videos shared online showed vehicles unable to pass through some sections of the town.
The blockades appeared to have been put in place overnight. Footage recorded at about 7am showed several roads obstructed.
It was not immediately clear who placed the stones or whether the road blockades were connected to the arrests on the Kisumu-Kericho Road.
Police have urged politicians, rally organisers and members of the public to avoid actions that could threaten peace during political gatherings.
The arrests and road blockades have added to concerns over security in the region, but authorities have yet to establish a direct link between the two incidents.
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