Police in Homa Bay County have fired tear gas to disperse a rowdy group accused of attempting to block the Linda Mwananchi convoy in Ndhiwa.
The incident occurred on Sunday, August 16, as the convoy travelled towards Homa Bay Town for a rally led by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna.
Officers escorting the motorcade intervened to clear the road and allow the convoy to proceed, amid heightened tensions surrounding the movement's planned rallies in the county.
The security operation came amid heightened political tensions surrounding the movement's activities in Homa Bay, where it was scheduled to hold rallies in Nyandiwa, Sindo and Homa Bay Town.
The convoy was placed under a heavy police escort as authorities sought to prevent disruptions and maintain order during the political gatherings.
The disruption followed an earlier incident at Oyugis Junction, where tyres were set on fire, raising concerns about possible attempts to interfere with the movement's activities.
Tensions were also reported in Nyandiwa, where the first rally was scheduled for 10 am before the arrival of Sifuna and his political allies.
The developments come amid growing rivalry between Linda Mwananchi leaders and a section of ODM leaders in Homa Bay.
Leaders associated with Linda Mwananchi have previously raised concerns over alleged plans to disrupt their rallies. ODM leaders have denied the allegations.
Several political leaders have since called for calm and urged security agencies to guarantee the safety of people attending the rallies.
Siaya Governor James Orengo and Suba South MP Caroli Omondi have called on police to ensure the safety of rally-goers as political tensions increase in the county.
Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo also assured Kenyans that security agencies would maintain law and order during the political activities.
Omollo stressed that citizens have a right to travel to different parts of the country and express their political views peacefully.
Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga has also urged political actors and their supporters to avoid confrontation and embrace political tolerance.
“As ODM, we have always been fighters for all freedoms, including the freedom for anyone to tour any place. Anybody is free to come and sell whatever they want in any part of this country,” Wanga said in an earlier address.
Sifuna has meanwhile urged his supporters to turn out in large numbers for the Homa Bay edition of the Linda Mwananchi tour.
The movement has in recent weeks expanded its political mobilisation across Western Kenya, holding rallies in Trans Nzoia, Bungoma, Kakamega and Busia.
The Homa Bay tour represents an important test for the movement as it seeks to extend its political mobilisation into Nyanza, a region traditionally regarded as an ODM stronghold.
The use of teargas in Ndhiwa and the reported burning of tyres at Oyugis have heightened concerns about the security of Sunday's political events.
Attention is now focused on whether the scheduled rallies in Homa Bay will proceed without further incidents, intimidation or confrontation between rival political groups.