Police in Homa Bay have arrested 40 suspects accused of looting businesses and destroying property during unrest that erupted following the arrest of Kassim Abdi on Thursday night.
Homa Bay County Police Commander Lawrence Koilem said the arrests were made between Friday and Sunday as security officers intensified operations across residential estates in Homa Bay town. The crackdown followed the arrest of Abdi and seven other members of his team, after which a group of youths reportedly took to the streets before the demonstrations escalated into looting and destruction of property. According to police, several business premises were broken into during the unrest, with goods worth millions of shillings stolen.
Officers from the police service and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have since conducted day and night raids to track down those suspected of involvement in the incidents.
Koilem said officers had recovered several items believed to have been stolen, alongside crude weapons, during the operation. The 40 suspects are being held at Homa Bay County Police Station and are expected to be presented in court on Monday, October 12.
The county police commander said the security operation would continue for another week, with authorities planning to extend the crackdown to other towns within Homa Bay County.
Abdi’s arrest came amid investigations into violence witnessed in Homa Bay during a political rally organised by the Linda Mwananchi faction on August 16, 2026.
