Machete, sword recovered as five arrested over chaos at Raila memorial in Bondo
Five suspects were arrested following violent disturbances at a memorial service for the late Raila Odinga in Bondo, Kenya. Police recovered weapons including a machete and a sword, and the suspects are currently in custody awaiting arraignment.
Why it matters
The incident highlights ongoing security concerns at high-profile political gatherings in Kenya, involving significant national figures.
Some of the weapons recovered from the suspects/DCI Police have arrested five suspects in connection with a disturbance during the first-anniversary commemoration of former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga in Bondo, Siaya County.
The suspects were arrested following violence at Migwena Cultural Grounds on Thursday, October 15, where a section of the crowd turned rowdy during the memorial gathering.
In a statement on Friday, October 16, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said police officers from Bondo Police Station intervened to restore order and prevent the situation from escalating.
“Officers moved in swiftly and restored order before the situation could spiral out of control,” the DCI said.
The officers recovered a machete, a sword and a knife, among other weapons, following the arrests.
The suspects remain in custody as police process them ahead of their arraignment in court. The recovered items have also been detained as exhibits.
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