200 suspects arrested in Kisumu in ongoing crackdown on political violence

Kisumu County Commissioner Ramadhan Mwabudzo, in a press briefing on Monday, said the latest arrests are part of a broader security operation that has been ongoing for the past two weeks.

"We have been doing a crackdown over the last two weeks where 200 people have been arrested and arraigned. The crackdown shall continue," Mwabudzo said.

Following Sunday's deadly violence at the ACK Cathedral that left two people dead, Kisumu Governor Anyang' Nyong'o said it was a premeditated criminal operation rather than a spontaneous confrontation. The governor condemned the incident and called for those responsible to be held accountable.

"What happened yesterday was criminal organised activities. Organisers must be identified, and appropriate action taken," Nyong'o said.

"Evidence, including digital documents from social media are being compiled."

Nyong'o confirmed that the eight suspects arrested in connection with Sunday's violence would be arraigned in court on Monday, warning that those involved should not expect to evade justice.

"Those who think they can do criminal activities in broad daylight in the guise of anonymity are mistaken. We are pursuing all lawful means," he said.

He also appealed to young people to shun political violence, saying, "Young people of Kisumu, violence and criminal enterprise will not secure a future for you," Nyong'o added.

He warned politicians against mobilising young people to engage in violence and urged leaders planning public events in the county to notify security agencies in advance.

"We will not allow instances where young people are used to settle scores. These political leaders, please do that in your own counties," he said.

"We are seeing leaders preferring to hire goons; please, that is not allowed. Always inform the police beforehand."

According to the county commissioner, preliminary investigations indicate that many of the youths involved had little knowledge of the mission they had been mobilised for.

"Most of the youth being mobilised yesterday didn't even know what they were being mobilised for. They were just assembled at Victoria and given new pangas and jembe holders. The conveners and mobilizers, we will track you down; it doesn't matter whether you are here or using proxies," he said.

Mwabudzo said intelligence reports had alerted security agencies to the planned mobilisation hours before the violence broke out, enabling police to intervene before the situation escalated further.

"We are still pursuing the mobilisers. Goons were mobilised at around 9 am, and these goons started at 11 am. We had the intelligence; that's why we were able to avert it soon, otherwise, it would have been worse," he said.

The county commissioner reiterated that security agencies are prepared to protect all public events, including church functions, if notified in advance, adding that organisers had not informed police about the nature of the event.

"Whenever a leader is coming to Kisumu, let us be informed. We shall provide that security even if it is in a church. You do not need to hire goons; we are ready to provide security for you."

The violence erupted on Sunday at ACK Cathedral in Kisumu, where rival groups clashed as leaders allied to the Linda Mwananchi movement attended a church service.

Police had earlier confirmed that one person was killed, several others injured, nine motorcycles torched and a police vehicle damaged, while eight suspects were arrested and investigations launched to identify other perpetrators.