DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua addressing Gatundu South residents on August 16, 2026/ HAND-OUTFormer Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has condemned attempts to prevent opposition leaders from addressing Homa Bay residents, saying such actions amount to an insult to the community and risk reviving ethnic divisions.
Speaking during a political engagement, Gachagua urged the residents not to allow themselves to be divided by political interests.
“Stopping Sifuna and Babu Owino from going to talk to the Nyanza residents is an insult to that community,” Gachagua said.
He called on his Nyanza “brothers” not to be misled into turning against one another, saying Kenyans should reject political mobilisation that could pit communities against themselves.
“Let us not be lied to and end up fighting each other,” he said.
Gachagua’s remarks come days after heightened political tensions in parts of Nyanza following violent incidents that disrupted the Linda Mwananchi movement’s activities in Homa Bay County on Sunday.
Two people, including a police officer, died during the clashes, while 46 others were injured as violence disrupted the movement of leaders and supporters into Homa Bay Town.
The police officer, a driver attached to the Nyando police command, died after the vehicle he was driving was struck by a stone and lost control. His superior, who was travelling in the same vehicle, was seriously injured.
A Ugandan woman also died after being run over by a vehicle during the chaos, according to officials at the Homa Bay County Teaching and Referral Hospital.
Several people sustained serious injuries, including gunshot wounds and deep cuts, while vehicles were torched and others damaged during the unrest.
Journalists covering the events were also attacked, with media equipment vandalised or stolen and several media vehicles damaged.
A vehicle belonging to Mediamax Network Limited was among those torched, while a public address vehicle associated with Bungoma Governor George Natembeya was also destroyed.
The violence also affected the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s Lake Victoria Field headquarters in Lala, where buildings and vehicles were damaged.
The National Police Service said on Monday that 37 suspected gang members had been arrested following the incidents and that officers had recovered crude weapons including machetes, metal rods, knives, rungus, batons and ropes.
Police said the arrests formed part of intensified operations following the violence and warned political actors against using political activities to facilitate violence, intimidation or destruction of property.
The Service also reminded organisers that public rallies should be held between 6am and 6pm and that organisers are required to notify police to facilitate security planning.
