HOMA BAY, Kenya – Police arrested an alleged “chief goon” in Homa Bay County alongside seven of his associates while executing a court order on Thursday night, in an operation that coincides with a nationwide crackdown on criminal gangs and organised political violence.
The alleged goon, identified as Kassim Abdi Sebo, was arrested at a bus stage by officers from Homa Bay Police Station executing an arrest warrant issued by the Homa Bay Law Courts for assault causing actual bodily harm.
According to a report filed after the arrest, police said that during Kassim’s arrest, his associates obstructed officers from carrying out their duties and were consequently arrested.
The suspects
Those arrested alongside the prime suspect include Achiando Victor Odhiambo (26), Isaac Masika Muliro alias Waigo (30), Oyege Moses Geoffrey (27), Geoffrey Njore (25), Wesley Odhiambo Anold alias Mwas (26), Joseph Kobila (28) and Alfred Nyagiro Aliwa (26).
The suspects were all booked into custody pending their arraignment in court.
National crackdown on goonism
Their arrest coincides with sustained operations against criminal gangs across the country following a directive by Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja to Regional Police Commanders to take firm and lawful action against criminal gangs and organised violence within their areas of command.
According to data from the Ministry of Interior, the operations led to 1,827 arrests over offences linked to goonism and organised criminal activity between January 1 and August 31, 2026. Trans Nzoia recorded the highest number of arrests at 491.
A further 729 convictions were secured during the period, while 716 cases remain before the courts. The Rift Valley accounted for 36.5 per cent of the convictions.
The Ministry’s data also shows that Nyanza has 12 identified criminal groups, compared to 38 in Western Kenya, 22 in the Rift Valley and 20 in Nairobi. The Coast region has 11 identified groups, while Eastern has three, North Eastern two and Central one.
Political violence concerns
The organised use of hired youth gangs to disrupt political rallies and intimidate opponents has escalated significantly in Homa Bay ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The issue gained national prominence following violent clashes during the Linda Mwananchi opposition tour in August 2026, which resulted in deaths, numerous injuries and the destruction of property.
The arrests come amid heightened political tension over electoral preparedness and political violence, with legal bodies and opposition coalitions calling for accountability for the organisers and financiers of criminal gangs rather than only the foot soldiers.
