Chaos unfolds: 2 dead, 54 injured during Homa Bay Linda Mwananchi rally

This story has significance for readers across Kenya and beyond.

- Homa Bay County Police Commander Lawrence Koilem confirmed a police officer died after being struck on the head with a stone during the rally

- A Ugandan woman also died at Homa Bay County Teaching and Referral Hospital after being run over by a vehicle amid the chaos

- Eight officers were injured and 46 civilians hospitalised, with seven in critical condition and four sustaining gunshot wounds

Homa Bay - A police officer attached to Muhoroni Police Division is among two people who lost their lives following violent scenes that erupted during a Linda Mwananchi rally in Homa Bay County on Sunday.

Homa Bay County Police Commander Lawrence Koilem confirmed the deaths, identifying the officer as part of a security reinforcement team drawn from outside the county to support policing during the rally.

The officer was struck on the head by a stone thrown by a youth while driving his supervisor and fellow officers back towards Muhoroni sub-county, along the Homa Bay–Kendu Bay Road between Olare and Nyangweso trading centres in Rangwe Sub-county. He was rushed to a hospital in Kisumu County, where he later succumbed to his injuries.

Koilem added that eight other police officers sustained injuries to various parts of their bodies during the disorder.

Second Fatality at County Referral Hospital

A report from Homa Bay County Teaching and Referral Hospital identified the second fatality as a Ugandan woman who was run over by a vehicle during the rally. She died while undergoing treatment at the county referral hospital.

According to Koilem, chaos broke out as Linda Mwananchi brigades were making their way into Homa Bay Town from Sindo in Suba South. In total, 46 civilians were injured during the violence, with seven currently in critical condition.

Among those hospitalised, four suffered gunshot wounds inflicted by armed individuals who targeted the procession. The majority of the injured sustained deep cuts on various parts of the body.

All 46 injured were initially taken to Homa Bay County Teaching and Referral Hospital for emergency care before being transferred to various private health facilities in the region. The transfers were necessitated by an ongoing nurses' strike that has disrupted services at public hospitals.

Was former Bungoma governor attacked in Homa Bay

Earlier, former Bungoma Governor Wycliffe Wangamati alleged that he and members of his team were attacked by a group of goons at Asumbi Junction while travelling to Homa Bay on Sunday, August 16, 2026.

Wangamati made the allegation in a post on his official Facebook page, condemning what he characterised as rising political intolerance ahead of a major rally in the county.

Despite the reported incident, he confirmed that his team continued to their destination and arrived in Homa Bay as planned.

Source: TUKO.co.ke

Reporting originally appeared via TUKO. Read the full source for additional context.