Two people, including a police officer, died and at least 46 others were injured after violence erupted during a Linda Mwananchi rally in Homa Bay on Sunday, leaving vehicles burnt and property destroyed.
Homa Bay County police said the officer was ferrying colleagues who had been deployed to provide security backup when he was caught up in the chaos.
A woman also died after she was reportedly struck by a speeding vehicle during the violence.
The full extent of the destruction became clearer after the political team left Homa Bay Town, with several vehicles reduced to shells and property worth an unknown amount damaged.
Up to six vehicles were set ablaze after motorists reportedly became trapped in the chaos and were unable to drive away. Armed youths are said to have torched the vehicles as confrontations spread through parts of the town.
The violence also spilled into the Seventh-day Adventist Church Lake Victoria Field headquarters at Lala, along the Homa Bay-Mbita road.
A vehicle was set on fire at the church gate as its driver reportedly attempted to escape the violence.
Lake Victoria Field President Pastor Samson Okwach said evangelists were at the church when the violence broke out.
“The church was hosting evangelists at the time,” Okwach said, adding that materials belonging to the clerics were allegedly taken and used to set the vehicle on fire.
At the Homa Bay County Teaching and Referral Hospital, health workers attended to 46 people injured during the unrest.
The hospital’s Chief Executive Officer Vincent Oduor said the patients included a police officer who suffered a head injury and four people who sustained gunshot wounds to their lower limbs.
Seven of the patients were in critical condition, according to the hospital.
One patient was referred to the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital in Kisumu for specialized treatment.
The remaining patients were referred to private health facilities because of the ongoing nurses' strike at the county hospital.
Oduor said the woman who died had been rushed to hospital after being hit by a vehicle but died shortly after being examined by a doctor.
The violence has sparked concern among Homa Bay residents, who warned that repeated political clashes could damage the town's image and discourage investment.
George Ongoro, a resident, faulted members of Linda Mwananchi for arriving in Homa Bay Town at night, arguing that some of the destruction could have been avoided had the political team arrived earlier in the day.
Another resident, Bonface Oneya, called for a truce between Linda Mwananchi supporters and those backing President William Ruto, saying the political rivalry risked exposing residents and businesses to further violence.
Oneya urged Ida Odinga to help mediate between the rival political factions and push for an end to the confrontations.
Residents also called on political leaders to find a lasting solution to the tensions and ensure political activities do not descend into violence.
Police have vowed to establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths, shootings and destruction of property as investigations into Sunday's violence continue.
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