By Team
Last night, on Thursday, Homa Bay town was left burning after the arrest of a political youth leader and suspected goon, Abdi Kassim Sebo, the Homa Bay County ODM youth leader.
On Friday morning, Homa Bay was paralysed as protests continued, closing the entry and exit routes into the town to motorists.
Vehicles travelling along the Kisumu–Homa Bay road turned back at Nyalkinyi before getting into town, while those travelling along the Migori–Homa Bay road turned at the junction to Mbita.
On Thursday night, the demonstrators barricaded the road, lit fires and protested over the arrest of Abdi Kassim Sebo.
Most residents were forced to walk long distances to enter and exit the town as most businesses remained closed.
Abdi was arrested shortly after 7.00 pm near the Homa Bay bus stop, at a facility he runs and which is frequently visited by his allies in the town.
Arrest
Sebo was arrested at Homa Bay Bus Stage on Thursday night while police officers were executing a warrant issued by the Homa Bay Law Courts on 14 August 2026.
According to an OB report, the warrant relates to an alleged offence of assault causing actual bodily harm, contrary to Section 251 of the Penal Code.
The arrest was conducted by officers from Homa Bay Police Station and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in Homa Bay Sub-County, under the command of County Police Commander Lawrence Koilem.
Police also arrested seven men accused of obstructing officers during Sebo’s arrest.
They are Achiando Victor Odhiambo (26), Isaac Masika Muliro (30), Oyege Moses Geoffrey (27), Geoffrey Njore (25), Odhiambo Wesley Arnold (26), Joseph Kobila (28) and Alfred Nyagiro Aliwa (26).
Long Arm of the Government
The long arm of the government, so they say, finally landed in Homa Bay and apprehended Abdi, who was alleged to be the main ‘coordinator’ of the recent political thuggery that visited Homa Bay County during the Linda Mwananchi rally.
Even the protests and destruction of property did not stop the long arm of the government from picking up the new visitor to the State, and finally, he will find himself in uncharted territory where he calls no shots.
The short-lived power and influence he wielded in the region have dissipated into thin air, and now self-confinement, the disappearance of powerful links and a reality check are setting in.
The sun will rise and set while the moon will shine at night, but for Abdi, the arrest is a clear indication that the time is ripe to begin a new chapter in his life.
Police Intervene
Heavy police security personnel moved in to restore order in the town, with local youths and businesspeople escorting and supporting them to calm the situation.
Most of the protesting youths were from local slums in the town and were forced to run to safety as police cracked down on the rioters.
The Irony of Life
For politicians, the arrest is a drop of water in the ocean and does not matter because, in the morning, their children wake up to a four-course breakfast, are driven to international schools and enjoy moments on digital platforms.
They slept soundly, unaware of youths protesting, barricading roads and destroying property in Homa Bay following the arrest of a powerful goon allied to their parents.
This time, there were no powerful telephone calls to intervene in the suspect’s release, but the long arm of the law finally caught up with him.
Political Connections
Abdi is alleged to have close links to senior political and government officials, including Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga and local politicians.
During the recent Linda Mwananchi rally in Homa Bay, several people were reportedly left dead, with tens injured and property destroyed.
Linda Mwananchi leaders Babu Owino, Edwin Sifuna, James Orengo, among others, were forced to brave the hostility and running battles to enter Homa Bay town.
Residents’ Voices
Residents of Homa Bay want the government to apply the law without allowing political interference.
‘We are tired of goons harassing us in Homa Bay. Let the government crack the whip. Homa Bay cannot be a town of goons,’ said Otieno Onyango.
Another resident, Anyango Hellen, said she was forced to walk for over two kilometres to get into town after the driver of the vehicle she was travelling in refused to drive into town.
