By Habil Onyango
Political goonism and the hiring of youth gangs to disrupt political rallies, civic and empowerment meetings, and polling stations are major threats in various parts of the country.
The goonism culture has always been linked to high youth unemployment and chronic political patronage, which fuel a cycle where politicians hire young men, sometimes for as little as hundreds of shillings or low daily wages, to intimidate rivals, disrupt events and suppress dissent.
This has been common in Homa Bay County, where some politicians hire youths to disrupt their perceived opponents’ rallies and events.
However, for some youths, it is normal to gatecrash various functions without invitations, causing chaos, property damage, harm to others and sometimes death.
Principal Secretary of the State Department of Internal Security, Dr Raymond Omollo, has warned youths against being exploited by politicians to cause violence at rallies and events for their personal gain.
Omollo urged youths to resist being used to ignite chaos at political gatherings as the country approaches the campaign and election period.
“I want to urge our youths to refrain from being misused during the campaigns and election period so that we do not have a situation where they lose their lives or bring knives,” said Omollo.
“Our youths should not allow themselves to be used for chaos or violence at meetings they have not been invited to,” he added.
According to the PS, every politician should be free to present their agenda to voters without interference.
Presidential Order
The Government has launched a nationwide crackdown on goons, political gangs and criminal networks to restore public order ahead of the 2027 general elections.
President William Ruto has repeatedly directed the National Police Service to take firm, impartial action against goons, warning that lawlessness, vandalism and political violence will not be tolerated. The Government is targeting sponsors and financiers, who face individual arrest and prosecution.
In Homa Bay, these efforts led to the arrest of Kassim Sebo Abdi, alias Commander, on the night of 9 August 2026, alongside seven accomplices.
Abdi, a 31-year-old, has been labelled by police as a “chief goon” and has been pursued following deadly violence and property destruction during the Linda Mwananchi political rally in Homa Bay on 16 August 2026.
The attack resulted in the deaths of several individuals, including a police officer, damage to private property and serious injuries to many people. Cars were torched, and others suffered losses in their businesses.
Abdi’s arrest was carried out by officers from Homa Bay Police Station and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) from Homa Bay Sub-County under the command of County Commander Lawrence Koilem.
The officers executed a warrant issued by the law courts on 14 August 2026, following an alleged assault causing actual bodily harm, contrary to Section 251 of the Penal Code.
The officers had to shoot into the air to disperse rowdy men who attempted to obstruct Abdi’s arrest, during which they arrested seven of them.
The suspects 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 Aliwa (26).
He had previously ignored DCI summonses to appear at the Homa Bay County Headquarters and had gone underground before his arrest on Thursday.
During the night protests over Abdi’s arrest, several shops, including a supermarket’s gas store, were looted.
The latest incident occurred at Homa Bay Raila Odinga Stadium during a Jua Kali empowerment programme sponsored by the Homa Bay Woman Representative, Bensuda Osogo, where goons stormed the event, stealing and destroying various equipment intended for distribution to beneficiaries on 3 August 2026.
Osogo, who hosted the Co-operatives and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Cabinet Secretary, Wycliffe Oparanya, alleged that she narrowly escaped death after being attacked by the organised gang.
“I know there have been some destructions, looting of businesses, property have been burnt around; however, I want us as a community to respect ourselves and other people’s property so that we do not live a life where we give the Police a hard time doing their work,” said the PS.
The PS also condemned the ongoing mob justice, which has been widespread in various parts of Homa Bay.
This comes after the Nyanza Regional Criminal Investigation Officer, George Mutonya, highlighted mob justice as a significant issue in Homa Bay.
Mutonya stated that locals have recently been taking the law into their own hands by lynching suspects before security forces arrive.
According to Omollo, locals should not assume they can take over the roles of the police, emphasising that everyone should have the opportunity and environment to perform their duties effectively.
Omollo spoke at Lambwe Valley, within Suba North Constituency, during a national tree-planting day on 10 August 2026.
