Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna on a Linda Mwananchi tour of Vihiga County on April 25, 2026. /EDWIN SIFUNA/XOrganisers of the Linda Mwananchi movement have formally notified police of their planned August 16 rally in Homa Bay county, paving the way for security preparations ahead of the event.
The organisers said they met the Homa Bay county police commander on Tuesday afternoon and submitted a written notification for the gathering, as required under the Public Order Act.
The law requires organisers of public meetings and processions to notify the National Police Service at least three days, but not more than 14 days, before the planned event.
Speaking after the meeting, the organisers said the police commander had received the notification and assured them that security arrangements would be made to support a peaceful rally.
"We have presented our letter, he has received a copy and he has assured us that we will have a peaceful rally," one of the organisers told the media.
The team urged supporters attending the rally to remain peaceful and avoid actions that could disrupt the event.
"On our part, we are guaranteeing that we will be very peaceful and we pray that all our followers, those who truly support Linda Mwananchi, will be peaceful on that day and will not cause any fracas," the organiser said.
The planned rally will take place in Homa Bay county, a region associated with the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).
The county is home to Governor Gladys Wanga, who serves as ODM national chairperson and has supported the broad-based government arrangement involving the party.
The organisers called for tolerance ahead of the event, citing concerns that political differences could create tensions between rival groups.
They said the rally would also provide an opportunity to announce the movement's future plans.
"We will make a big announcement and that is for future plans. We intend that it will be peaceful, we pray that it be peaceful," one of the officials said.
The team also warned individuals who may attempt to disrupt the gathering, saying they were aware of previous incidents where political events had been interrupted.
"For clarity and avoidance of doubt, we know that there have been attempts in other rallies to disrupt such occasions and we know that there could be some people who probably are hibernating somewhere and intending to disrupt it," the official said.
The organisers said they would welcome all attendees but insisted that the rally should remain peaceful, warning anyone planning to cause chaos.
"With clarity we tell you without iota of doubt that we also welcome you, there will be a very beautiful message that we will want you to deliver to your masters," the official added.
The movement maintained that it had followed the required legal procedures and appealed to supporters, political actors and residents to uphold peace during the rally.
