Homa Bay Town came to a standstill as large numbers of young people poured into the streets, demanding the release of a man they commonly refer to as 'Commander'. This occurred on August 4, 2026.

The demonstrators hurled stones at motorists and barricaded sections of the town’s streets with boulders and burning tyres, prompting police to intervene with tear gas in an attempt to disperse the crowd.

As the protests intensified, police eventually released the suspect, who was welcomed back by his supporters.

The man, Khassim Abdi, had earlier been taken into custody following a complaint over an alleged assault incident.

Read: Linda Mwananchi: How we intend to deal with goons

To many outsiders, Abdi appears to be an ordinary resident of Homa Bay Town.

The tall, well-built man is often seen walking through the town, casually interacting with residents.

But beneath that unassuming exterior is a figure whom some residents and people familiar with his activities describe as an influential mobiliser among groups of youths in Homa Bay.

People who know him allege that he plays a role in organising youths during political meetings, including giving instructions on what they should do before, during and after political gatherings.

When he is not involved in political activities, he is often found at Homa Bay Town Bus Park, seated at what his associates describe as his “base”, surrounded by friends.

On Wednesday, the National Police Service said Abdi was one of those associated with Sunday's violent attacks on Linda Mwananchi rallies in Homa Bay.

Police spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga said 12 suspects took plea and have been placed under various bond terms, while two more are being investigated for gun-related incidents and shall be produced in court upon the finalisation of investigations.

"One Kassim Abdi Sebu, who is being associated with the mayhem witnessed in Homa Bay, has been ordered to report to the County DCI Headquarters, Homa Bay," Mr Nyaga said.

Read: Man police linked to Homa Bay chaos surrenders, but is turned away

According to residents and people who know him, Mr Abdi’s influence becomes particularly visible during political events, where he is widely referred to as “the Commander”.

“He issues instructions, and the people he associates with listen and carry them out,” said one associate, who requested anonymity.

At a time when some politicians enlist youths for crowd mobilisation, control and personal security, Abdi is said to have carved out a role mobilising groups that provide such services during political meetings.

Just four years ago, few people outside his immediate circle knew his name.

At the time, politicians rarely appeared to rely on organised groups of youths during rallies to the extent seen in recent years.

But as political competition intensified, aspirants increasingly turned to young men to help create an image of popularity, mobilise supporters and provide security at public events.

According to people who know him, Abdi seized that opportunity. He was frequently engaged by organisers of events attended by senior politicians and gradually became one of the youths political organisers sought whenever they planned public meetings.

His associates say he uses his influence to organise and direct youths, particularly during political gatherings.

Read: Homa Bay proved, again, the backward slide to one-party mindset

Five years ago, however, his life was markedly different. People who knew him then say Abdi worked as a manamba, or tout, at Homa Bay Town Bus Park.

One associate recalled that he earned a living helping passengers board public service vehicles and was paid on commission.

He later enrolled in martial arts training, where he developed his fighting skills.

“He became highly skilled in boxing and other fighting techniques. His trainer nicknamed him ‘Commander’,” the associate said.

As his abilities improved, he was entrusted with guiding junior trainees, giving him responsibility over others during training sessions. Before long, his associate says, he had built a loyal following.

“He stopped limiting his fighting skills to sports and began applying them in politics after leaders recognised him as someone who could protect them. That is how he rose to become who he is today,” the associate added.

In 2025, Abdi successfully contested for a youth leadership position during the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) county elections and was elected as one of the party officials representing the youth.

Today, his associates say he combines that political position with his influence among youths whenever political activities are organised.

Read: From Jaramogi to Raila: Homa Bay violence reignites Luo Nyanza’s old political wars

That influence came into sharp focus on August 4, when his arrest brought parts of Homa Bay Town to a standstill as supporters took to the streets demanding his release.

Abdi had been arrested after human rights activist and High Court advocate Samuel Nyauke lodged a complaint alleging that he had been involved in an attack at an office earlier that day.

Mr Nyauke, who is also an interim Linda Mwananchi coordinator, said he received a telephone call from Abdi shortly before the incident.

According to Mr Nyauke, Mr Abdi confronted him over his involvement in organising the August 16 Linda Mwananchi movement rally in Homa Bay, an event that allegedly conflicted with Mr Abdi’s political position.

“A few minutes later, some youths arrived chanting the ‘Two Term’ slogan. They were riding motorcycles,” Mr Nyauke said.

He alleged that Abdi later joined the group and confronted people at the scene, prompting him to retreat into his office for safety.

Mr Nyauke further alleged that the youths later turned on another person within the premises before that person was also attacked.

The incident was subsequently reported to police.

The advocate said the events had heightened concerns over the possibility of political violence in the town ahead of the August 16 Linda Mwananchi rally.

Read: The cost of political goonism

A confrontation between Mr Abdi and activist Evance Oloo was also captured in a video circulated online.

Mr Oloo later told police that he had been walking along a street in Homa Bay Town when he was approached by Mr Abdi, who accused him of supporting the Linda Mwananchi movement.

“Do not force us to support the one-term agenda,” Mr Abdi says in the video.

“You have stepped straight out of your car and confronted me. What have I done to you?” Mr Oloo responds.

Mr Abdi then urges the activist to continue recording, insisting that he would not be intimidated.

“We are working tirelessly to advance the two-term agenda, yet you are holding meetings to promote the one-term campaign. At night, you belong to the one-term camp, but during the day you pretend to be on our side,” Mr Abdi says.

He continues: “Leave us alone. You are part of the one-term camp, yet you also claim to be a civil rights activist.”

At one point, Mr Abdi is seen picking up what appears to be a rock and holding it in his hand. He accuses Mr Oloo of insulting his political leader.

“The other time, you insulted our leader. Pursue your own politics, but do not provoke us into confrontation, only for us to end up being killed,” Mr Abdi says.

Mr Oloo responds: “Abdi, I do not want to fight you. Please leave me alone.”

Mr Oloo later said the two men knew each other and that he did not understand why he had been confronted.

“I have lodged five complaints against Abdi. Previous complaints were made by other residents. This time, I became the victim,” he said.

Mr Oloo told journalists that he had previously written to police seeking Mr Abdi’s arrest.

He claimed that police responded that they did not know the suspect’s identity and requested his assistance in identifying him.

The August 4 protests, however, offered a glimpse into the influence Mr Abdi appears to wield among sections of Homa Bay’s youth.

His supporters' reaction to his arrest, coming less than two weeks before the August 16 Linda Mwananchi rally, also brought renewed attention to the role of organised youth groups in the town’s increasingly competitive political environment.

Follow our WhatsApp channel for breaking news updates and more stories like this.