Protests Erupt in Homa Bay After DCI Allegedly Arrests Suspected Goon Leader
by Timothy Cerullo on Friday, 9 October 2026 - 10:32 am
Police in Homa Bay have arrested a suspected gang leader accused of being behind a series of violent incidents in the county, months after deadly chaos disrupted a Linda Mwananchi leaders' rally.
The suspect was arrested on Thursday night, October 8, 2026, as detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) executed a warrant issued by the Homa Bay Law Courts on August 14.
According to a police report, the warrant relates to an alleged offence of assault causing actual bodily harm, contrary to Section 251 of the Penal Code.
During the arrest of the suspected goon leader, the detectives also apprehended seven other men accused of attempting to obstruct police officers during the operation.
The arrest sparked protests in parts of Homa Bay, with groups of youths barricading roads and lighting bonfires in attempts to pressure the detectives to release the suspect.
Images and videos obtained by Kenyans.co.ke showed fires burning across some roads leading to Homa Bay town on Thursday night, disrupting traffic and forcing motorists to seek alternative routes.
The protesters reportedly demanded the suspect’s immediate release and threatened to continue their demonstrations until he was freed, raising fresh concerns over security in the lakeside town.
The suspect has in recent months been linked to a youth group known as the Hammer Boys, which has attracted public scrutiny over allegations of involvement in political violence.
The suspect also came under scrutiny following violent clashes that erupted in Homa Bay on August 16, when Linda Mwananchi politicians visited the county for a political rally.
The rally was disrupted after groups of youths blocked the leaders’ convoy from accessing Homa Bay town, with three people reportedly dying during the protests.
Following the incident, the now-arrested suspect was named by the police as a person of interest in investigations into the deadly clashes.
A report by KTN News described him as the alleged leader of the area gang and revealed that investigators were examining claims of links between him and senior government officials.
