Police in Rachuonyo have intensified security operations in Homa Bay County following the arrest of sixteen suspects linked to an attack on Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma during Thursday’s Kasipul by-election.
The National Police Service (NPS) disclosed the arrests in an official statement, noting that the suspects were intercepted during an overnight operation mounted after the incident.
The security sweep was launched after MP Kaluma was confronted at Agoro Sare Primary School, one of the constituency’s key polling centres. According to the NPS statement, officers stopped five vehicles and two motorcycles during the operation.
A subsequent search recovered pangas, knives, rungus, and stones, with all seized items entered into evidence.
Kasipul Constituency has previously recorded isolated incidents of tension during competitive elections, reflecting broader challenges often seen in close contests across Nyanza. By-elections in Kenya typically attract heightened security deployment, especially in areas where political rivalry is intense and voter turnout remains influential to party strategies.
The Homa Bay region has long been a stronghold of the opposition, making internal contests and inter-party mobilization highly visible.
Police said the suspects, described in the statement as “suspected armed thugs,” are being detained pending arraignment.
The NPS added that the operation forms part of a wider effort to secure electoral processes and deter violence, particularly in constituencies experiencing elevated political activity.
The Service reiterated its commitment to safeguarding voting environments and ensuring stability before, during, and after polling.
Witnesses at the Agoro Sare polling station reported a brief disruption when the confrontation occurred, though voting later proceeded under a stronger police presence.
Election officials noted that such incidents can affect voter confidence, prompting rapid response measures from both security agencies and the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
The NPS emphasized that criminal activity around polling centres will be addressed firmly to maintain public order.
“The National Police Service reiterates its unwavering commitment to ensuring peaceful, secure, and transparent electoral processes across the country,” the statement said.
The sixteen suspects are expected to be presented in court once investigations are finalized. Police have indicated that additional patrols and intelligence-led operations will continue across Homa Bay County to prevent further disruptions as electoral activities conclude.