Kisii Keumbu attack: Police say more arrests expected as probe intensifies
By Faith Lagat, July 7, 2026The National Police Service (NPS) has said more arrests are expected over the violent attack on the Linda Mwananchi political convoy at Keumbu Market in Kisii County, as investigations intensify into the incident that left one supporter dead, scores injured, and sparked renewed concerns over political violence.
Speaking during an interview on Monday, July 6, 2026, NPS spokesperson Michael Muchiri said investigators are relying on forensic analysis and video evidence to identify all those involved in the Friday, July 3, 2026, attack, insisting the seven persons of interest already in custody are only part of those believed to have participated in the violence.
“At the Keumbu incident, we have teams that are there. Remember, as soon as that incident took place and as soon as it got the attention of the Inspector General, he was able to send a special team from the Internal Affairs Unit to go and have a comprehensive look at that incident,” Muchiri said.
He maintained that police moved swiftly after the attack, noting that detectives had already made significant progress but expected further arrests as investigations continue.
“The police were able to move with speed. The police were able to analyse and arrest at least seven people, and that’s not enough. I’ve talked to the county commander for the area and the DCI personnel there, and the information that we have is that more tracing is continuing. So we expect to have many more than just seven because when you look at the mob that was at that place in Keumbu, they’re actually quite a big number. We intend to analyse again the images that we are seeing and have as many people arrested and taken before court,” he said.
More arrests expected as investigations widen
The latest update comes days after the NPS announced the arrest of four additional persons of interest, bringing the total number of people in custody to seven following a joint operation involving officers from Keumbu Police Station and detectives from DCI Kisii Central.
Police have also summoned Nyaribari Chache MP Zaheer Jhanda to appear before detectives at the Kisii County DCI offices as part of the ongoing investigations.
The attack occurred on Friday, July 3, 2026, as the Linda Mwananchi convoy travelled from Kisii town towards Keroka after holding a political rally. Videos widely shared on social media showed groups of youths armed with stones, clubs, bows and arrows attacking vehicles in the convoy, damaging several cars, including one carrying former Chief Justice David Maraga.
The violence later took a tragic turn after Linda Mwananchi leaders announced the death of Vincent Osiemo, popularly known as Mapinduzi, a supporter who sustained fatal head injuries during the chaos.
Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka said the convoy came under sustained attack by a large group of armed youths in the Keumbu area, forcing drivers to speed away from the scene.
According to the senator, Osiemo, who was part of the convoy’s sound team, fell from a moving vehicle as it crossed bumps near Keumbu Market while escaping the attackers and suffered fatal head injuries.
Onyonka further claimed that more than 1,000 youths armed with crude weapons had blocked the road before pelting the convoy with stones, adding that Justice Maraga’s vehicle was among those struck during the attack.
Officer captured in viral footage under Internal Affairs probe
The incident has heightened political tensions, with opposition leaders accusing security agencies of failing to prevent the violence despite police officers being present at the scene. Videos circulating online appeared to show officers standing near individuals throwing stones at the convoy, prompting widespread public criticism.
Addressing the concerns, Muchiri acknowledged that one officer captured in the footage had already been identified but said conclusions should await a full investigation by the Internal Affairs Unit.
“At first, even for me, when I saw that clip, there’s one particular officer that you’re able to identify. That’s a fact,” he said.
He added that the Internal Affairs Unit had been tasked with conducting a comprehensive review of both the footage and the surrounding circumstances before determining whether any officer failed in their duty.
Police defend pace of investigations
While admitting that the images had raised legitimate public concern, the police spokesperson cautioned against drawing premature conclusions before investigations are completed.
Muchiri also defended the pace of the investigations, saying police were prioritising thorough and evidence-based inquiries over rushed prosecutions.
“We’ve been accused of hurried investigations before. We want investigators to do their work professionally so that when suspects are presented before the court, the cases are sound and supported by evidence,” he said.
He confirmed that the Member of Parliament linked to the incident had been summoned to record a statement, adding that investigators would determine the next course of action based on the evidence collected.