NAIROBI, Kenya- Government Spokesperson Charles Owino has questioned why Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma has not been arrested over remarks directed at people using the “one-term” slogan against President William Ruto.
Owino described Kaluma’s comments as dangerous and unbecoming of an elected lawmaker, saying the police and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations should explain whether they had opened a criminal investigation.
“Kaluma’s statement was careless, primitive, backward and not expected of a lawmaker,” Owino said.
“The director of CID and the police in general ought to explain to us as Kenyans why, up to now, Kaluma has not been arrested.”
The former police spokesperson said he expected investigators to have completed a file and forwarded it to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions for review.
“I am sure his file by now should be at the DPP’s place,” he said.
The DCI and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions had not publicly responded to Owino’s remarks by the time of publication.
What Kaluma said
Kaluma made the controversial remarks ahead of the Linda Mwananchi rally held in Homa Bay County on August 16, 2026.
In a widely circulated recording, the MP declared that Homa Bay was an ODM stronghold and that President Ruto would serve two terms.
“This is an ODM stronghold, and we insist that Ruto is two-term. If anyone speaks of one-term, deal with them,” Kaluma said.
He also spoke about inspecting hotels and homes where visiting opposition supporters had allegedly booked accommodation.
“We are going to inspect all hotels and houses where they had booked. Anyone who owns a hotel in Homa Bay must tell us all the guests they have,” he said.
“I have paid for fuel you will use to move across Homa Bay and Rodi.”
The statements attracted condemnation from political leaders and civil society groups, who said they could encourage violence against supporters of rival political movements.
The “one-term” slogan, commonly expressed as “Wantam,” is used by opposition groups campaigning to prevent Ruto from securing a second presidential term in 2027.
NCIC summoned Kaluma
The National Cohesion and Integration Commission summoned Kaluma following the remarks.
The commission said it had opened an inquiry into whether his statements threatened national cohesion or encouraged political violence.
Kirinyaga Woman Representative Njeri Maina was among the leaders who demanded Kaluma’s arrest, accusing security agencies of applying the law selectively when dealing with political remarks.
Kaluma later defended himself and linked his comments to tensions surrounding the Linda Mwananchi rally. He accused its organisers of bringing groups into Homa Bay to provoke residents and cause confrontation.
The rally was preceded by road blockades, attacks and looting in parts of Homa Bay. Opposition leaders later blamed Kaluma and other local politicians for the violence, accusations they rejected.
Kaluma subsequently called for the arrest of Siaya Governor James Orengo, Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino over the unrest.
Owino said political leaders should be held responsible for remarks capable of encouraging confrontation, regardless of their party affiliation or support for the government.
