Siaya Governor James Orengo and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino at the Kisumu Law Courts, where they represented eight supporters linked to the Linda Mwananchi movement on July 27 / HANDOUT
Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has joined Siaya Governor James Orengo at the Kisumu Law Courts to represent eight supporters linked to the July 12 violence outside an Anglican Church of Kenya service in Kisumu.
The two leaders said they were appearing for supporters associated with the Linda Mwananchi movement who were arrested following the unrest that erupted during a church service attended by Orengo and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna.
In a statement shared by Babu Owino, he claimed the eight had been "falsely arrested" while protecting members of the movement during the church service.
"Together with Senior Counsel James Orengo, we are currently at Kisumu Law Courts to represent our eight loyal supporters falsely arrested for protecting Team Linda Mwananchi during a church service in Kisumu," Babu said.
Orengo also defended the accused, describing them as innocent.
"Standing in court today for eight innocent Kenyans whose only 'crime' was walking into a house of God with Senator Edwin Sifuna and me," he said.
He called for the charges against the accused to be dropped.
The case stems from violence reported on July 12 outside ACK St Stephen's Cathedral in Kisumu, where rival groups clashed during a church service attended by opposition leaders.
According to the National Police Service, one person was killed, several others were injured, nine motorcycles were torched and a police vehicle was damaged during the confrontation.
In a statement, NPS spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga said the violence erupted after a confrontation between two rival groups, prompting a swift police response.
Police said eight suspects were arrested following the violence and placed in custody pending arraignment, adding that investigations were continuing to identify and apprehend other people believed to have participated in the clashes.
"Preliminary investigations indicate that, in Kisumu City, a violent confrontation between two opposing groups resulted in the death of one person, several injuries, the torching of nine motorcycles and damage to a police vehicle. Following swift police intervention, eight suspects were arrested and placed in custody pending arraignment in court. Efforts to identify and apprehend other individuals involved are ongoing."
"The service strongly condemns these acts of political intolerance, violence and goonism. Such incidents undermine public order, threaten national cohesion and violate citizens' constitutional rights to peacefully associate, assemble and participate in political activities," the statement said.
The National Police Service condemned what it described as acts of political intolerance, violence and goonism, saying such incidents undermine public order, threaten national cohesion and violate citizens' constitutional rights.
The service also warned that anyone found engaging in violence, sponsoring criminal gangs, inciting supporters or disrupting lawful gatherings would face the law regardless of their political affiliation or status.
