KISUMU, Kenya— Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino and Siaya Governor James Orengo on Monday appeared before the Kisumu Law Courts to represent eight supporters of the Linda Mwananchi movement charged in connection with the July 12 violence outside an Anglican Church of Kenya service in Kisumu.
The two leaders said they were representing supporters arrested following unrest that erupted during a church service at ACK St Stephen’s Cathedral attended by Orengo and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna.
Babu, who shared details of the court appearance on social media, claimed the eight accused had been wrongfully arrested while protecting members of the Linda Mwananchi movement during the church service.
“Together with Senior Counsel James Orengo, we are currently at Kisumu Law Courts to represent our eight loyal supporters falsely arrested for protecting Team Linda Mwananchi during a church service in Kisumu,” Babu said.
Orengo also defended the accused, maintaining that they had committed no offence and calling for the charges against them to be withdrawn.
“Standing in court today for eight innocent Kenyans whose only ‘crime’ was walking into a house of God with Senator Edwin Sifuna and me,” Orengo said.
He urged the prosecution to drop the charges, insisting the accused were innocent.
The case stems from violence reported on July 12 outside ACK St Stephen’s Cathedral in Kisumu, where rival groups clashed during a church service attended by opposition leaders.
According to the National Police Service (NPS), one person was killed during the confrontation, while several others sustained injuries. Police also reported that nine motorcycles were torched and a police vehicle damaged during the unrest.
In a statement issued after the incident, NPS spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga said the violence broke out following a confrontation between two rival groups, prompting a swift response from security officers.
Police arrested eight suspects in connection with the incident and placed them in custody pending arraignment, while investigations continued to identify and apprehend other individuals believed to have participated in the violence.
“Preliminary investigations indicate that, in Kisumu City, a violent confrontation between two opposing groups resulted in the death of one person, several injuries, the torching of nine motorcycles and damage to a police vehicle. Following swift police intervention, eight suspects were arrested and placed in custody pending arraignment in court. Efforts to identify and apprehend other individuals involved are ongoing,” the police statement said.
The National Police Service condemned what it described as acts of political intolerance, violence and goonism, warning that such incidents undermine public order, threaten national cohesion and violate citizens’ constitutional rights to peacefully assemble and participate in political activities.
Police further warned that individuals found engaging in violence, sponsoring criminal gangs, inciting supporters or disrupting lawful gatherings would face legal action regardless of their political affiliation or status.