Tear Gas lobbed at Linda Mwananchi convoy as they navigate Homa Bay County on August 16, 2026 / ScreengrabChaotic scenes were witnessed in Homa Bay on Sunday as tear gas was lobbed at the Linda Mwananchi convoy as it navigated the county.
The incident forced crowds gathered along the route to disperse as the convoy encountered sections of the road strewn with stones and barricaded.
Linda Mwananchi leaders were forced to make a brief stop as supporters moved in to clear the road and create a path for the convoy.
The disruption came amid heightened tension in Homa Bay, where police had deployed officers to escort the convoy during its political activities.
Earlier, sections of roads had reportedly been blocked with large stones, disrupting movement ahead of the planned rallies.
The Linda Mwananchi Movement, led by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and other leaders, continued with its programme despite the disruptions.
Sifuna later addressed residents in Nyandiwa, where the movement received a large turnout.
The incidents come amid growing political activity in Homa Bay ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Amnesty International Kenya condemned reported violence, attacks on journalists, disruption of media broadcasts and destruction of property during political activities in Homa Bay.
The human rights organisation also raised concern over reported road blockades and intimidation and blamed it on the failure of security agencies to take timely and effective action to protect citizens.
In a statement on Sunday, August 16, Amnesty said it was deeply alarmed by reports that groups of people allegedly targeted accommodation facilities suspected to be hosting Linda Mwananchi leaders or their supporters.
It said the incidents posed a serious threat to constitutional freedoms, including freedom of expression, media freedom, access to information, freedom of movement, peaceful assembly and political participation.
“Any failure by public authorities to prevent or respond effectively to foreseeable violence undermines public confidence in the rule of law and weakens democratic institutions,” Morara said.
The organisation called on the National Police Service and other relevant authorities to immediately restore security and prevent further violence in Homa Bay.
It urged authorities to guarantee the safety of journalists, human rights defenders, political actors, businesses and residents in the county.
Amnesty called for prompt, independent, impartial and transparent investigations into all reported incidents.
The investigations, it said, should cover alleged attacks on journalists, destruction of property, disruption of media broadcasts, intimidation and restrictions on freedom of movement.
“All those responsible, whether private individuals, political actors, or public officials, must be held accountable in accordance with the law,” Morara said.
The organisation also demanded an independent review of the conduct and response of security agencies to establish whether there were failures to prevent violence, protect affected persons or uphold constitutional rights.
Morara said accountability was necessary to restore public confidence and prevent similar incidents from recurring.
“The National Police Service must discharge its constitutional mandate professionally, impartially, and in full compliance with national and international human rights standards,” he said.
“Security agencies must facilitate, rather than obstruct, the enjoyment of fundamental rights and freedoms.”
Where appropriate, the organisation said those found culpable should be prosecuted.
