Tension mounts in Homa Bay as goons storm hotel to hunt for Linda Mwananchi members

Tension remained high in Homa Bay on Sunday ahead of a planned political rally by the Linda Mwananchi with armed goons blocking and terrorising people.

AFP journalists Fred Ooko and Brian Ongoro were injured and their gadgets and documents stolen in an attack.

Earlier on Saturday, armed youths stormed a beach hotel in Homa Bay Town, forcing guests to flee as they allegedly searched for members and supporters of the Linda Mwananchi Movement.

The management of the hotel reported the incident to police, saying the youths, armed with crude weapons, raided the establishment and flushed out guests.

The incident, which left workers and clients traumatised, came moments after a politician believed to be the Homa Bay Town constituency Member of Parliament Opondo Kaluma was captured on video urging a group of suspected supporters to ransack hotels and flush out members of Linda Mwananchi.

“I am ordering that from this moment, let’s go out and conduct a door to door search in all places of accommodation and get them out. I am also warning hotel owners here in Homa Bay Town to be careful of who they are hosting tonight. We shall cross with that guest and, if need be, even the hotel,” he was heard threatening in the viral video.

The proprietor of Homa Bay Tourist Hotel, Otieno Odongo, reported that the armed youths stormed the premises and began inspecting rooms.

He said up to 50 people were involved in the Saturday evening attack.