Two including cop die, 46 injured, 6 cars torched during Linda Mwananchi rally in Homa Bay Town

At least two people were killed while 46 others are in hospitals following chaos that were experienced during the Linda Mwananchi rally in Homa Bay on Sunday.

Among those killed was a police driver. He was attached to Nyando police command.

His boss who was in the car is among those admitted in hospital with serious injuries.

Police said the driver was hit by a flying stone as he sped in a police car. He died on the spot, police said.

The second victim was a woman who is said to have been run over by a speeding car.

Out of the 46 injured, seven are in critical condition, while four sustained gunshot wounds when they were attacked by armed goons as Linda Mwananchi brigades were making their way in Homa Bay Town from Sindo in Suba South, police said.

Officials at the Homa-Bay County Teaching and Referral Hospital said deceased woman is an Ugandan female who was run over by a vehicle during the rally and died while receiving treatment at the county referral hospital.

Most of the victims sustained deep panga cuts on various parts of the body after they were attacked during the Homa Bay Town rally.

The 46 were rushed to the Homa Bay County Teaching and Referral Hospital for first aid and were later transferred to various private health facilities in the region for further treatment due to the ongoing nurses’ strike.

There was a trail of destruction of property and vehicles in Homa Bay Town during the rally.

Six vehicles were torched by armed goons who barricaded Homa Bay -Mbita road from Lala area to Junction Kodoyo to prevent Linda Mwananchi from accessing Homa Bay Town.

Among those torched included a Mediamax Network Limited vehicle which was targeted as goons attacked journalists covering the event.

The vehicle was set ablaze as rally leaders attempted to access Homa Bay town.

Also affected was a public address system vehicle belonging to Bungoma County Governor George Natembeya.

K24 cameramen Francis Mwangi and Evans Okeyo were among the journalists attacked at around 7:00 pm.

Several pieces of media equipment were vandalised and others stolen, while Mwangi sustained serious injuries and was rushed to hospital for treatment.

The torched vehicles were towed to Homa Bay police station pending investigation.

The armed goons also invaded the headquarters of the Seventh Day Adventist church, SDA Lake Victoria Field, in Lala village along Homa Bay-Mbita road, where they damaged the building and vehicles at the parking lot.

The president of Lake Victoria Field, Pastor Samson Okwach, said they lost property of unknown value during the attack.

He condemned the political violence witnessed in Homa Bay, calling on Homa Bay leaders to embrace dialogue to prevent further bloodshed.

The attacks targeted at Linda Mwananchi supporters started on Saturday night when goons attacked Homa Bay Tourist Hotel where they shattered windows, destroyed property and stole items before leaving on motorcycles.

They were armed with stones and sticks as they traversed Nyandiwa, Suba South where the Linda Mwananchi team were to attend a church service.

Roads leading to the church were blocked with stones and logs. Forcing the leaders to cancel their plan to worship with residents.

Youth supporting the broad based government patrolled the town armed with stones chanting pro-government slogans while those of Linda Mwananchi who were armed with sticks also combed the area in reflectors as they waited for leaders to arrive.

Oyugis and Homa Bay town remained tense the better part of the day.

In Oyugis, youths lit bonfires along the main highway disrupting the smooth flow of traffic.

In Homa Bay town, pro-govermnent groups blocked all the roads leading to the town center with stones.

Journalists who were out documenting the events faced the wrath of the goons.

Two journalists from Royal Media Services (RMS) were among four journalists attacked and injured by goons seeking to block the faction from accessing Homa Bay Town.

During the attack the media team lost their valuables and a car belonging to RMS was vandalized.

One vehicle was torched a few kilometres from Homa Bay Town as the Linda Mwananchi leaders made their way to town centre.

Several other vehicles were vandalised by goons who were repulsed by police and Linda Mwananchi supporters.

The acts of violence began on Saturday night, Homa Bay Town was turned to a goons paradise.

Homa Bay Tourist Hotel bore the brunt of political intolerance when a group of youth donning ODM attire stormed the hotel riding on motorcycles.

They shattered windows, destroyed property and stole valuables.

Their mission, to flush out Linda Mwananchi supporters, a case that is currently under active investigations.

Former Bungoma Governor Wycliffe Wangamati’s convoy was also attacked at the Asumbi Junction as he made his way to Nyandiwa.

The operation to deal with criminal gangs who were prepared to cause mayhem led to the arrest of 17 people.

The chaos has attracted condemnation amid calls for action and changes in national security sector.