Siaya Governor James Orengo has vowed to lead opposition leaders into Homa Bay on August 16 for the Linda Mwananchi rally despite claims that some groups are planning to block their entry and attack those attending the meeting.
Orengo said the planned rally would proceed, arguing that the Constitution protects Kenyans’ rights to move freely, live anywhere in the country, associate with others, express their views and hold peaceful gatherings.
He accused some Homa Bay leaders of trying to revive political tactics from the past by allegedly seeking to keep opposition leaders out of the county.
“There are people from Homa Bay who are patriots. But there are certain leaders from Homa Bay who are living in the past. They don't know we have a new constitutional order,” Orengo said.
The governor linked the alleged attempts to block the rally to Kenya’s earlier political struggles, when leaders and their supporters were prevented from accessing some parts of the country during the push for multiparty democracy.
He said such restrictions should not be allowed under the current constitutional order, adding that Linda Mwananchi leaders had already held rallies in several parts of the country without being stopped.
Orengo said the group would not be scared away from Homa Bay and vowed to attend the rally despite the reported threats.
“I want to assure those leaders from Homa Bay that we will be in Homa Bay. We will use cars, bows and arrows, injuries, including fractures. If the last act that I can do for this country, in the name of change and patriotism, in the name of democracy, is for me to die for my country, I am prepared,” he said.
He said he would be accompanied by several members of the Linda Mwananchi Brigade, including Brian Weke, Edwin Sifuna and Babu Owino.
Orengo also claimed that plans were being made to disrupt the rally, alleging that some people had met at night and distributed weapons ahead of the opposition leaders’ visit.
According to the governor, the weapons allegedly included rungus, arrows and pangas, with some said to have been stored at a centre in the area. The claims had not been independently verified.
He further said the team had received information about planned meetings aimed at mobilising groups to block their entry into Homa Bay.
Orengo also alleged that traders were being discouraged from travelling to Homa Bay for the rally, claiming some market women had been instructed to sell their goods at Kabunde Airstrip instead.
Despite the reported efforts, the governor maintained that the planned mobilisation would continue and the rally would take place.
Weke, who also addressed the media in Kisumu on Wednesday, said organisers had notified the police about the rally and would visit Homa Bay Police Station to formally record the matter.
He said the police have a constitutional duty to protect lives and property during the planned gathering.
Weke also alleged that some supporters had been arrested and later released after the intervention of senior officials whose names he did not disclose.
He further claimed that property belonging to people seen as supporters of the Linda Mwananchi team had been targeted.
The leaders called on Homa Bay residents, particularly youths, to reject violence and avoid being drawn into confrontations during the rally.
Weke referred to the late former opposition leader Raila Odinga’s long-standing position on political freedoms, saying disagreements should not lead to violence.
“Raila once said, I might not agree with what you are saying, but I will ensure that the right for you to say it cannot be compromised,” Weke said.
He urged youths who were allegedly being mobilised against the opposition team to reconsider their actions and avoid violence.
The leaders also pointed to the 2007/08 post-election crisis, warning against allowing political competition to once again turn into violence.
The planned Homa Bay rally comes as political mobilisation increases ahead of the 2027 General Election, with opposition leaders stepping up meetings and rallies in different parts of the country.