IG Kanja Sends Strong Warning to Goons Ahead of Kisumu Linda Mwananchi Rally
Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja has provided firm assurances to the organizers and attendees of the upcoming Linda Mwananchi rally, promising a secure environment for the event scheduled for Sunday, April 26, in Kisumu.
Speaking before the Senate Standing Committee on National Security on Thursday, Kanja confirmed that security agencies have already identified specific individuals linked to the recent disruption of public meetings. He noted that officers are actively pursuing these suspects and issued a stern warning that the National Police Service will not tolerate violent tactics aimed at political gatherings.
“The meeting in Kisumu – I want to ensure that the meeting will be fully secured. But I also equally request from the organisers that we follow the law,” he said.
The Inspector General reminded political leaders that the responsibility for maintaining order does not rest solely with the police. He pointed to constitutional requirements that mandate cooperation from event planners to ensure public safety. By citing Article 37, Kanja highlighted that peace is a collective obligation, urging organizers to work in tandem with law enforcement to prevent any potential chaos.
“Look at Article 37 of our Constitution. Even the organisers have a responsibility to ensure that there is peace in that. So we work together, and everything will be okay. But from where I sit, I want to assure you that your meeting will be safe and secure. Those who want to attend are free to attend. That is the position of the National Police Service,” Kanja said.
Inspector General Kanja took a particularly hard line against the violent disruption of political gatherings, declaring that the era of armed intimidation is coming to an end. He addressed the committee with a firm warning that the recurring issue of hired “goons” and the presence of firearms at public events will no longer be tolerated. Kanja stressed that the National Police Service has transitioned from monitoring to active enforcement, signaling a shift in how the state handles political thuggery.
“The issues of guns and guns, honourable Chair and honourable Members, this issue of guns and guns is going to stop. It is going to stop because these goons… we have been investigating. I don’t want to say here because that is my work to do,” he said.
The Inspector General noted that recent investigations have already mapped out the intricate networks responsible for such disruptions. By identifying the origins, funding sources, and grassroots organizers behind these violent interruptions, the police intend to dismantle the structures that support political interference. Kanja reassured the lawmakers that the authorities are now equipped with the intelligence necessary to act decisively.
“We have clearly investigated. We have seen where they come from, who funds them, who does what, who is the grassroots organiser and so forth. I want to assure you, Chair and honorable Members, this issue of guns and guns is going to stop. We are serious about that,” he added.
Inspector General Kanja also condemned the recent attack on Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi, describing the incident as entirely unacceptable. He assured the public that everyone involved in the assault will eventually face justice in a court of law. The Senator was recently targeted by a group of armed individuals in Kisumu, an attack that left him in critical condition and sparked national outrage.
“What happened to Senator Osotsi was not right. I want to assure him and the people of Kenya that at the end of the day, everyone who committed an offence there will have their time to stand before a court of law,” Kanja stated.
Rising Political Temperatures in Kisumu
These security assurances arrive as political anticipation builds for Sunday’s Linda Mwananchi rally in Kisumu. The event serves as a significant platform for a breakaway faction linked to the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) to demonstrate its growing influence in the Nyanza region. Historically, Kisumu has been a strategic stronghold where the late ODM leader Raila Odinga would often retreat to communicate major political shifts.
Siaya Governor James Orengo, speaking in a recent radio interview, explained that the upcoming Kisumu rally is a strategic move to consolidate political unity and empower the region. He brushed off past attempts to disrupt their gatherings, noting that his recent visits to areas like Ahero have confirmed that the local population remains firmly aligned with their political stance.
For Orengo, the focus of the Linda Mwananchi movement is to ensure that the region’s dominant political force remains an independent contender for power rather than a supporting player for external interests.
“Let people come to our rally in Kisumu. Those who tried to disrupt our meetings elsewhere did not succeed. I have been to Ahero, and the message I received resonates with our political stand in the region,” Orengo said.
The Governor made it clear that the ultimate goal is to position the party to lead the country, stressing the importance of internal strength over external alliances.
“We need to form the government, not campaign for leaders from other parties. That is why we are working to strengthen our party.”
The post IG Kanja Sends Strong Warning to Goons Ahead of Kisumu Linda Mwananchi Rally appeared first on Nairobi Wire.