Police in Homa Bay have arrested 40 suspects following a night of protests, looting and property damage. The unrest erupted after Kassim Abdi was arrested in Homa Bay Town last Thursday. The suspects were detained during a series of police raids across the town.
Police Intensify Night Raids
The arrests were made between Friday and Sunday, according to county police commander Lawrence Koilem. Officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) joined the operation.
The raids were conducted across several estates in Homa Bay Town. The suspects are accused of taking part in the unrest that followed Abdi’s arrest.
Several business premises were reportedly broken into during Thursday night’s protests. Goods worth millions of shillings were allegedly stolen, while property was damaged.
Stolen Goods Recovered
Police say several stolen items and crude weapons have been recovered during the operation. The recovered items are expected to form part of the ongoing investigations.
The 40 suspects are being held at Homa Bay County Police Station. They were expected to be taken to court on Monday, October 12, according to the report.
No court outcome was provided in the report. The allegations against the suspects have yet to be tested in court.
Crackdown to Continue
Koilem said the police operation would continue for another week. It could also be extended to other towns across Homa Bay County.
The crackdown followed the arrest of Abdi and seven other men on Thursday night. Police said the seven were arrested over allegations that they obstructed officers during Abdi’s arrest.
Abdi’s arrest was linked by police to violence reported during a Linda Mwananchi faction rally in Homa Bay on August 16, 2026. That rally had been disrupted by clashes and other incidents, according to earlier reports.
The latest arrests mark a fresh phase in efforts to address the unrest. Police have not provided a full account of the individual allegations against each of the 40 suspects.
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