Internal Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo/FILEInternal Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo has assured the Linda Mwananchi movement of security during its planned meeting in Homa Bay on Sunday, August 16, as political activity intensifies ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Omollo said the government would protect the organisers and participants, while warning individuals against disrupting the meeting or engaging in criminal activity.
He said the right to hold political meetings applied across the country, regardless of the political affiliation of those organising them.
“Whether they do whichever formation, everybody has a right to go to any part, any corner of the country and converse their issues,” Omollo said.
The PS, however, said organisers and participants were expected to respect the law and maintain peace and order during the meeting.
“The position is very clear, everybody is free to go anywhere while at it; the expectation is that they must observe law and order,” he said.
Omollo further warned that individuals who attempted to use the gathering to cause violence would face the law.
“Criminal elements or criminal acts that are either related to politics or political contestation will not be tolerated. We should not allow ourselves to be misused by any political player for their own self-interest,” he said.
His remarks came a day after Linda Mwananchi leaders raised concerns over alleged attempts to disrupt their planned meeting in Homa Bay.
Siaya Governor James Orengo, one of the organisers, said he and other opposition leaders would attend the rally despite what he described as efforts to block their entry into the county.
Orengo said the Constitution guarantees freedom of movement, association, expression and peaceful assembly, arguing that political leaders should be free to hold meetings across the country.
“I want to assure those leaders from Homa Bay that we will be in Homa Bay,” Orengo said.
He also alleged that some individuals had held meetings where weapons were distributed in preparation for the rally, including rungus, arrows and pangas. The allegations could not immediately be independently verified.
Orengo said he would be joined by a number of leaders from the Linda Mwananchi Brigade, including Brian Weke, Edwin Sifuna, Babu Owino, among others.
Weke said organisers had notified police about the planned meeting and would report to Homa Bay Police Station to formally place the event on record.
Weke invoked the legacy of the Late former leader Raila Odinga, saying political differences should not translate into 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 allegedly being mobilised against the opposition leaders to reconsider their actions.
