Homa Bay Town MP George Peter Opondo Kaluma is facing fresh accusations of incitement after two viral videos showing him urging supporters to search hotels were linked to a raid on a Homa Bay facility where armed youths allegedly targeted members of the Linda Mwananchi Movement.
The incident was reported by Homa Bay Tourist Hotel manager Robert Odongo. In a police report filed on Saturday, Odongo said up to 50 youths armed with crude weapons stormed the hotel twice.
According to the report, the attackers moved from room to room claiming they were looking for Linda Mwananchi supporters who had arrived in Homa Bay ahead of a planned rally on Sunday.
Guests and workers were chased out, glass doors were smashed, CCTV cameras were destroyed, and some items were allegedly stolen.
Police confirmed vandalism and theft at the hotel, saying the attackers fled on motorbikes before officers arrived.
Odongo told investigators the incident left staff and guests traumatised and that the hotel was still assessing the full cost of the damage.
The raid came hours after videos of Kaluma addressing crowds in Homa Bay Town circulated online.
In the first clip, the MP is heard telling supporters to “go out and conduct a door to door search in all places of accommodation and get them out.”
He warned hotel owners to be cautious about who they host.
“We shall cross with that guest and, if need be, even the hotel,” he said.
In a second video, Kaluma told a crowd that political opponents were already in the county despite public claims they would arrive on Sunday.
“Some people are saying they will come tomorrow. That is not true. They are already here,” he said.
He accused rivals of infiltrating Orange Democratic Movement structures and said some people had been noting down names of those willing to join other political teams.
Kaluma also used the address to warn against dissent ahead of the 2027 elections.
“As from today, we are declaring that anyone saying ‘One Term’, we shall ‘cross with him’. If you know that you are a Gachagua sympathiser, please disappear,” he said.
He told the crowd he had provided funds to facilitate movement.
“I have already sorted out your leaders. Your fuel for today has been catered for,” he added.
The MP further dismissed the Linda Mwananchi slogans, arguing that development projects in Homa Bay were associated with President William Ruto’s administration.
“When you come to Homa Bay, please remember the airstrip, the piers and the roads you land, anchor and drive on as you shout your useless ‘wantam’ political slogans have been built by President William Ruto. Your Gachagua and Uhuru built nothing here and never cared to know we exist,” Kaluma said.
Human rights defenders and civil society groups in Nyanza condemned both the remarks and the attack on the hotel. They said political competition should not translate into intimidation of businesses or targeting of individuals based on political affiliation. They called on police to investigate the content of the videos and establish whether there was a direct link to the hotel raid.
A senior police officer told Julisha Media investigations were ongoing and that the viral videos were part of the material being reviewed.
Legal experts note that under Kenyan law, incitement can be established where speech is likely to produce lawless action and is directed to producing such action.
State Agencies have previously warned elected leaders against utterances that could lead to hostility, property damage, or violence during political events.
As of Sunday, Kaluma had not issued a formal statement responding to accusations linking his remarks to the hotel attack. His office did not respond to requests for comment by press time.
The incident adds to growing concern about political temperatures in Homa Bay and other regions ahead of 2027, with authorities under pressure to ensure rallies and counter-rallies are conducted peacefully and without interference with businesses or private property.
Meanwhile, tension remained high in Homa Bay Town on Sunday ahead of the Linda Mwananchi rally. Witnesses reported groups of young men on motorbikes blocking sections of roads.
Videos seen by Julisha Media showed burning tyres along roads, with stones and twigs blocking other areas, as Linda Mwananchi political leaders and supporters prepared for the gathering.
Police had earlier confirmed that the movement had formally notified authorities about the planned gathering.
Organizers said the Homa Bay County police commander had received the notification and assured them security would be provided for a peaceful event.
The rally is being led by a faction associated with Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino and Siaya Governor James Orengo, as part of Linda Mwananchi’s ongoing political mobilization activities ahead of the 2027 General Election.
