Police intensify raids across Homa Bay Town as traders count losses following destruction of property and looting during Thursday night’s protests.
Police in Homa Bay County have arrested 40 suspects in connection with the looting of business premises and destruction of property during Thursday night’s protests following the arrest of Kassim Abdi and seven members of his team.
Homa Bay County Police Commander Lawrence Koilem said the suspects were arrested between Friday and Sunday as security agencies intensified operations to apprehend those linked to the unrest.
Police officers and Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) detectives have been conducting day and night raids in several estates across Homa Bay Town over the past three days in an operation aimed at restoring order and bringing those responsible to justice.
According to Koilem, the suspects were among youths who took to the streets following Abdi’s arrest but allegedly engaged in looting and vandalism, targeting several business premises within the town.
The Thursday night incidents reportedly resulted in the loss of goods worth millions of shillings, leaving affected traders counting their losses after their businesses were disrupted.
Koilem said security officers had recovered several items believed to have been stolen during the unrest, alongside crude weapons allegedly linked to the suspects.
The 40 suspects are being held at Homa Bay County Police Station and are expected to be arraigned in court on Monday, where they will have an opportunity to respond to the allegations against them.
The county police commander said the security operation would continue for another week as officers pursue other individuals suspected of participating in the looting and destruction of property.
He added that the crackdown would be extended to other towns across Homa Bay County as security agencies move to curb criminal activities and prevent a recurrence of similar incidents.
The arrests mark an escalation of the security operation launched after Thursday night’s unrest, which disrupted business activities and raised concerns among traders over the safety of their property.
Police have vowed to continue pursuing those suspected of involvement in the incidents as efforts to restore normalcy in Homa Bay Town intensify.
