Siaya Governor James Orengo says he will sue Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja over what he describes as the failure of police to protect the Linda Mwananchi convoy during today’s rallies in Homa Bay County.

Orengo was among leaders whose convoy was attacked by groups of youths in Rodi Kopany, with stones reportedly thrown at vehicles as the delegation travelled to planned rallies in Sindo and Homa Bay Town. Police fired tear gas to disperse the attackers and later escorted the convoy.

The governor accused the police of surrendering their authority to goons, questioning why adequate security had not been deployed along the route despite advance notice of the political gatherings.

“At a centre like Rodi Kopany, the police should have been there, but you can see the police have totally given up and surrendered their authority to the goons.” — James Orengo

The attacks came against a backdrop of heightened political tensions surrounding the Linda Mwananchi movement, with organisers previously raising concerns over alleged plans to disrupt the Homa Bay rallies. Police had been notified of the meetings, while Interior PS Raymond Omollo had assured the public that security agencies would protect the gatherings.

The situation also affected journalists. AFP correspondent Fred Ooko was assaulted and robbed of his camera and driving licence while covering the events in Homa Bay Town.

Orengo has now indicated that the confrontation will have a legal consequence, saying he intends to take the police leadership to court over the security failures. The dispute therefore moves beyond politics and into a broader question of whether the National Police Service failed in its constitutional duty to protect citizens exercising their right to peaceful assembly and political expression.