Homa Bay Town MP Peter Opondo Kaluma has demanded the immediate arrest and prosecution of Siaya Governor James Orengo, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, Suba South MP Karoli Omondi and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna over violence reported during the August 16 Linda Mwananchi rally in Homa Bay County.
Kaluma is also calling for investigations into the alleged funding of the rally and the conduct of senior police officers who were in charge of security during the event.
Speaking in Nairobi on Tuesday, the MP accused opposition leaders linked to the rally of recruiting and sending what he described as “dreaded thugs and hardcore criminals” to attack residents.
He alleged that the group had been operating in Homa Bay and Kisumu for about a week before the rally, claiming that some people were offered Sh3,000 to take part in the violence.
Kaluma said security agencies had already been provided with a list of people he identified as alleged perpetrators, together with evidence that he said should support investigations and possible prosecution.
“We demand the immediate and firm action against the Linda Mwananchi leadership for the violence committed against our people,” he said.
He singled out Orengo, Owino, Omondi and Sifuna, urging state security agencies, including the National Intelligence Service and the Kenya Defence Forces, to “arrest, investigate, arrest, and prosecute” the four over what he alleged was a plan to kill and injure residents while using the rally as a cover.
Kaluma also turned his attention to the police command, demanding the removal and transfer of officers he accused of allowing or helping the violence to take place.
“We demand the immediate transfer and removal of the regional police commandant and all the officers who aided the violence upon our people,” he said.
The MP further called for investigations into claims that former President Uhuru Kenyatta and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua supported the Linda Mwananchi group.
He alleged that Sh100 million was delivered to Orengo before the rally and called for the claims surrounding the alleged funding to be investigated.
Kaluma’s demands come as he himself faces scrutiny by the National Cohesion and Integration Commission over remarks he allegedly made in Homa Bay shortly before the rally.
In a summons dated August 17, the NCIC ordered Kaluma to appear before the commission at its offices at Britam Towers in Nairobi on Wednesday, August 19, at 10am to assist with ongoing investigations.
The commission said it was examining remarks reportedly made by Kaluma in dholuo on or about August 15.
The inquiry is being conducted under the National Cohesion and Integration Act, which gives the commission a mandate to deal with hate speech, negative ethnicity, racism and religious intolerance.
The summons comes as political and security questions continue to surround the August 16 Linda Mwananchi rally, with Kaluma now demanding action against several opposition figures while also being required to answer questions over his own remarks made before the event.