Won't be cowed?: Defiant Sifuna announces major rally after Homa Bay attack
This story has significance for readers across Kenya and beyond.
- Edwin Sifuna posted a formal statement on August 18, 2026, holding the National Police Service and NIS accountable for the Homa Bay incident
- Linda Mwananchi accused police of facilitating rather than preventing an armed attack on its supporters at the August 16 rally
- The Linda Mwananchi Tour has been traversing the country as part of political mobilisation efforts ahead of the 2027 General Election
Former Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) secretary general Edwin Sifuna announced on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, that the Linda Mwananchi Tour will hold its next major rally in Meru on Sunday, August 30, 2026.
Sifuna shared the promotional poster on his Facebook page, directing supporters to the tour's official website at www.lindamwananchi.com and its social media handle, @lindamwananchi_, for further details.
Attendance information indicated that payments could be made via Paybill number 3033049, with participants required to use their phone number as the account reference.
Rally announcement follows Homa Bay incident
The Meru announcement comes just days after the Linda Mwananchi team faced an attack during a rally in Homa Bay, an incident that drew significant attention and raised security concerns around the ongoing nationwide tour.
Despite the disruption, the team has pressed on with its schedule, signalling its intent to continue engaging Kenyans across counties in the build-up to the 2027 General Election.
The Linda Mwananchi Tour has been making stops across the country as part of broader political mobilisation efforts, with organisers using the gatherings to connect with grassroots supporters and amplify civic messaging ahead of the polls.
Meru, a politically significant county in the Mt. Kenya region, represents a key target for opposition-linked outreach as competing political formations seek to consolidate support outside their traditional strongholds.
Linda Mwananchi vows to press on
Sifuna posted a formal statement on Facebook on Wednesday, August 17, 2026, in which he squarely placed responsibility for the Homa Bay incident on the National Police Service and the National Intelligence Service, demanding that the Inspector General of Police, the Independent Policing Oversight Authority, and the Director General of NIS explain the involvement of their officers in what transpired.
The statement accused security forces of actively enabling rather than stopping the armed assault on supporters attending the rally.
Sifuna warned that individuals who were captured on camera during the attack would be pursued through the courts, stating that accountability would follow regardless of their affiliations.
Addressing President William Ruto directly, the statement declared that political power derives from the ballot box and cannot be sustained through violence or intimidation.
The movement pledged that rather than retreating, it was "moving into a higher gear" ahead of the 2027 General Election.
"Linda Mwananchi will not be silenced," Sifuna wrote.
The movement has been conducting rallies across Kenya in the run-up to the 2027 polls, drawing significant crowds and growing political attention.
NCIC summons MP Peter Kaluma
Meanwhile, the National Cohesion and Integration Commission summoned Homa Bay Town Member of Parliament Peter Kaluma to appear before it on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, at 10am, following remarks he made ahead of the Homa Bay rally on August 16.
Kenyan Newspapers, Aug 18: Paid youths got paid KSh 4k to block Linda Mwananchi in Homa Bay, details
Kaluma was recorded instructing youths to confront anyone chanting "one term," including drivers, remarks that authorities linked to the violence that subsequently broke out.
The NCIC stated that should Kaluma fail to appear in person, it would proceed to seek warrants of arrest against him.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
Reporting originally appeared via TUKO. Read the full source for additional context.