𝐓𝐰𝐨 𝐉𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐈𝐧𝐣𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐬 𝐓𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐑𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐀𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐚 𝐌𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐢 𝐑𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐚 𝐁𝐚𝐲

Two journalists have been injured and businesses disrupted in Homa Bay Town amid heightened tension ahead of the Linda Mwananchi movement’s rallies in the county.

The journalists, identified by reports as AFP journalists Fred Ooko and Brian Ongoro, were assaulted on Sunday while covering the tense situation in Homa Bay Town. They were reportedly attacked by a group of men armed with crude weapons.

According to reports, the attackers took the journalists’ press cards, driving licences, cameras and other personal belongings. The journalists were also reportedly dragged along the road and beaten with clubs before a boda boda rider intervened.

The two journalists later reported the incident at Homa Bay Police Station.The assault came as tension increased in the town ahead of the Linda Mwananchi rallies scheduled for Sunday, August 16.

The movement is led by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna alongside Siaya Governor James Orengo, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, Suba South MP Caroli Omondi and other opposition leaders.

The movement has been holding rallies in parts of western Kenya.Homa Bay Town was largely disrupted, with groups of men reportedly blocking some roads and motorists forced to use alternative routes.

Several businesses and churches also remained closed as residents responded to the heightened security concerns.

The situation had already deteriorated on Saturday when youths raided Homa Bay Tourist Hotel, destroying property and allegedly taking items whose value had not been established.

Hotel proprietor Otieno Odongo said about 50 youths arrived at the hotel at around 1:30 p.m. and asked whether members of the Linda Mwananchi movement were inside.

Odongo said the youths left after establishing that the group was not at the hotel, but later returned and caused damage to the facility.

The political tension has been linked to disagreements over the Linda Mwananchi movement and its calls for elected leaders to serve only one term.

Reports have also emerged of political rhetoric surrounding the planned rally, although claims about specific individuals encouraging violence should be treated cautiously unless independently verified.

The Linda Mwananchi team entered Homa Bay on Sunday, with its leaders scheduled to hold a series of public engagements in the county. Earlier, the movement had begun its Homa Bay tour in Suba South, with rallies planned in Nyandiwa and Sindo.

The violence and disruption have raised concerns over the safety of journalists, residents and businesses as political activity intensifies in the region.

The assault on the two journalists also comes amid wider concerns over the safety of media workers covering political events in Kenya. The Media Council of Kenya has previously condemned attacks on journalists and stressed that media workers must be allowed to carry out their duties safely.