From roadblocks to boats: How Linda Mwananchi outmaneuvered armed youths

Days before members of Linda Mwananchi descended on Homa Bay for Sunday’s political rally, there were growing signs that the meeting could turn chaotic.

Politicians in the region had called on their supporters to block Siaya Governor James Orengo, Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino from entering the county.

Kwabwai MCA Richard Ogindo was even captured on video urging his supporters to target people wearing Linda Mwananchi colours.

Faced with the prospect of roadblocks and confrontation, Mr Orengo and his team went back to the drawing board, changing their plans on how to enter Homa Bay and avoid the traps laid along the main routes.

In the end, the opposition politicians managed to enter the county, outmanoeuvring groups of armed youths mobilised to disrupt their movement and rallies.

There were reports that some leaders used alternative and possibly discreet routes to enter the county after major roads were blocked and groups of youths moved to intercept the convoy.

By Sunday morning, areas where Linda Mwananchi had planned to hold rallies had effectively become no-go zones, with armed youths taking over the streets and terrorising anyone who attempted to challenge them.

Youths armed with machetes and other crude weapons blocked major roads leading to Homa Bay Town, using stones, boulders and logs to barricade the routes and threatening motorists who attempted to pass.

In some areas, the youths demanded money before allowing motorists and boda boda riders through.

At Junction Kodoyo, a concrete electricity pole was used to block the Mbita-Homa Bay road.

Another group barricaded the Homa Bay-Rongo road at Arujo Bridge forcing motorists heading towards Kisumu to divert at Junction Kogwe.

The roadblocks came after politicians urged their supporters not to allow members of Linda Mwananchi into the county.

The youths checked vehicles and determined who could proceed and who could not.

But as the groups waited along the expected routes, members of Linda Mwananchi had already changed course.

Initial plans were for the convoy to travel from Kisumu to Homa Bay Town through Katiko and Kendu Bay, routes where groups opposed to the rally were reportedly waiting.

The plan was abandoned.

At about 10am, a convoy carrying Mr Orengo and Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya emerged from the Asumbi-Rodi Kopany road.

The convoy passed through Rangwe before joining the Rodi Kopany-Sori road.

At the Rodi Kopany junction, police officers had been deployed as rival groups, some wearing Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) caps, gathered and chanted “Tutam” slogans.

The convoy later ran into another confrontation before reaching Ndhiwa Town, forcing police to fire tear gas to disperse youths who had barricaded the road.

Several vehicles were pelted with stones, while others collided in the ensuing chaos.

Armed youths accompanying the Linda Mwananchi convoy joined police officers in dispersing the crowd, allowing the team to proceed towards Nyandiwa.

Images and videos of the convoy later spread widely on social media, with Kenyans using the scenes to renew calls for better roads in the region.

Some described the road leading to Nyandiwa as little more than a footpath despite being the main route into an area that has never had a tarmac road.

Others compared the rugged landscape to Syria, Yemen and Gaza, highlighting the dusty and difficult terrain the convoy had to navigate.

The poor condition of the Sori-Nyandiwa road slowed the journey considerably. The team eventually arrived in Nyandiwa at about 2pm more than four hours behind schedule.

Earlier, Mr Owino had landed at an airstrip in Ruma National Park before travelling to the home of Suba South MP Caroli Omondi where the team held a brief meeting before proceeding to Nyandiwa.

There were also reports that some members of the team entered the county by boat.

Mr Sifuna shared a video of a boat at the beach with the caption: “Top of the morning from the beautiful Homabay! Ati wameblock barabara?”

After Nyandiwa, the Linda Mwananchi team proceeded to Sindo, where it held another rally.

The road blockades also disrupted transport services, leaving scores of travellers stranded and exposing ordinary residents to the human cost of the political confrontation.

A group of passengers travelling from Nairobi to Mbita through Homa Bay Town spent the entire Sunday at Homa Bay Police Station after their journey was cut short for their safety.

The passengers had left Nairobi at 9pm on Saturday aboard a Climax Coaches bus.

Their journey was uneventful until they arrived in Homa Bay Town at about 6am when the driver informed them that he could not proceed to Mbita after receiving reports that several roads had been blocked.

After some passengers alighted, the driver took the bus and parked it at Homa Bay Police Station.

Those who still needed to travel to Mbita were left with two options: remain at the station or find alternative transport. But with public transport services paralysed, many had nowhere to go.

A few passengers sought the services of boda boda riders, some of whom charged as much as Sh1,000 for the journey to Mbita. The trip carried its own risks, prompting many women to remain at the police station.

Emily Aloo was supposed to attend her mother-in-law’s funeral in Kasgunga.

“She was buried today (Sunday) in Kasgunga. I was supposed to arrive at her home by 8am,” she said.

But fearing for her safety, Ms Aloo chose to remain at the police station.

“I will travel when it is safe. I informed the bereaved family that I will just witness where the deceased is buried,” she said.

Linet Awino was also stranded at the station. She was travelling to Mirunda with her seven-month-old child to attend a church meeting.

“I am a member of Bride of the Lamb Ministries. Members of the church are having a meeting which I am supposed to attend,” she said.

With no affordable transport available, Ms Awino survived on a packet of milk as she breastfed her child.

“I could not take a motorcycle because it is expensive. Besides, I have luggage which will cost more to transport,” she said.

Annalisa Mukene was equally frustrated. She had expected to reach Mbita by 8am but, eight hours later, remained stranded in Homa Bay with no certainty of when she would reach her destination.

“I am going to visit my cousin who lives in Mbita. It is now seven hours when I am still seated in the bus with no food. I have also not taken a shower,” Ms Mukene said.

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