Babu Owino alleges Wanga, Ayacko, Kaluma plot to disrupt Linda Mwananchi rally in Homa Bay

Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has accused Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, her Migori counterpart Ochilo Ayacko and Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma of allegedly plotting to disrupt the Linda Mwananchi caravan's rally in Homa Bay County on Sunday, August 16, 2026.

Owino claimed the three leaders, together with an MCA he identified as Ogindo, held a meeting late Tuesday night where they allegedly discussed mobilising goons to attack supporters of the opposition movement during the planned rally.

Speaking during an interview on Radio Jambo on Wednesday, Owino warned that the alleged mobilisation could trigger violence and called on security agencies to protect residents and participants attending the political events.

“Jana usiku, Governor wa Homa Bay, pamoja na Governor wa Migori, pamoja na MCA anaitwa Ogindo, pamoja na MP wa Homa Bay Peter Kaluma, wamefanya mkutano mpaka saa saba usiku,” Owino alleged.

“Na hiyo mkutano wanafanya wakisema ya kwamba goons wakuje wa-attack watu wetu.”

“Homa Bay inaenda kuwa na bloodshed. Nataka Inspector General of Police, maafisa wa usalama wahakikishe kuna safety ya kila mwananchi Homa Bay County, kwa sababu hawa watu wamepanga kukuja kuleta bloodbath,” he said.

The legislator further alleged that individuals had already been paid to cause disruption and claimed that several political meetings were planned in Homa Bay in the days leading up to Sunday's rally.

According to Owino, the caravan's organisers would continue with their programme despite the alleged threats, arguing that political leaders should allow residents to make their own choices at the ballot.

“Tuseiweke politics ni kama tuko na personal differences,” he said, adding that the Linda Mwananchi team would not “carry Homa Bay on our backs” when leaving the county but would instead engage residents and return to Nairobi.

Owino also invoked President William Ruto's 2022 campaign in Homa Bay, arguing that the Head of State was allowed to campaign in the region without being attacked despite seeking votes in an area considered a stronghold of the opposition.

“Ruto akicampaign 2022 against Raila Amollo Odinga, alienda Homa Bay; hakufukuzwa, alienda akaomba kura yake akatoka,” he said.

He questioned why members of the opposition movement should face hostility in Homa Bay, particularly given that he said the county's residents were voters who should be free to listen to competing political formations.

The MP further compared the situation to recent Linda Mwananchi engagements in other parts of western Kenya, citing Kakamega, Bungoma and Vihiga as examples where the movement had held political events without similar confrontations.

“Uliona Sifuna alienda Kakamega; huko kuna Oparanya ambaye ni Waziri katika serikali ya Ruto, haukuona fujo. Tukaenda Bungoma, huko kuna Speaker of the National Assembly na Governor Lusaka, haukuona shida,” Owino said.

“Tukaenda pale Vihiga, ambapo kuna Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi... mbona sisi tukirudi nyumbani lazima tupigwe?”

The accusations come amid growing political activity ahead of the 2027 General Election, with the Linda Mwananchi movement seeking to expand its reach beyond its traditional political bases.

Owino insisted that political differences should not be allowed to degenerate into violence, saying residents should be free to support either the “two-term” or “one-term” political camps.

“Kila mtu ako na demokrasia yake; kuna wale ambao wanapiga ‘two-term,’ na kuna wale ambao wanapiga ‘one-term,’” he said.