By James Murimi - Reporter
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Kenya, 26 April 2026 - Fresh fears over the safety of political leaders have emerged after Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka was Saturday evening confronted by a hostile group of youths in Siaya town, in the latest incident pointing to rising political intolerance across the country.
The senator was accosted outside Olympic Hotel shortly after attending a Linda Mwananchi rally in Vihiga County, with the group demanding an explanation for his presence and accusing him of allegedly being opposed to President William Ruto’s re-election bid.
According to Onyonka, the youths — numbering about 100 — turned aggressive, shouting slogans and warning him against promoting opposition-linked messaging in the area.
“I had just left the Linda Mwananchi rally in Vihiga and stopped for lunch when the group confronted me, demanding to know what I was doing there,” he said.
The confrontation quickly escalated, with the youths surrounding his vehicle, banging on it and issuing threats, warning him to leave immediately or face consequences.
“They told me they do not want to hear anything about Linda Mwananchi or Senator Sifuna and warned me not to show my face there again,” Onyonka added.
The senator, who was travelling with his driver and two aides to Kango Ka Jaramogi, said he was forced to calmly engage the group to avoid violence.
“I told them there was no need for confrontation because we are all working for the good of the country,” he said.
The standoff was eventually defused after the hotel manager intervened, insisting the senator be allowed to leave safely.
“This is my customer. He came here to eat, not to engage in politics. Let him go in peace,” the manager told the group.
Onyonka later described the incident as a dangerous sign of growing political hostility, warning that intolerance could undermine democratic freedoms.
“We cannot allow a situation where leaders are threatened simply for holding different political views,” he said.
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He accused elements within government of enabling such attacks, alleging that hired groups are being used to intimidate critics.
“It is unacceptable for leaders to use goons to silence opposing voices. Kenyans must be allowed to express themselves freely,” he said.
The incident comes as security agencies intensify a cross-border manhunt for suspects linked to the recent assault on Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi, highlighting what authorities now believe could be a coordinated pattern of political attacks.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen told Parliament that several suspects fled the country shortly after the Osotsi attack, complicating investigations.
“DCI circulated the pictures; three suspects presented themselves, but the rest escaped across the border,” he said.
Murkomen said Kenyan authorities are working with counterparts in a neighbouring country to track down the suspects.
“We will pursue them wherever they are. All those involved will be brought to justice,” he told lawmakers.
Investigators say the attack on Osotsi, which left him injured earlier this month in Kisumu, involved a larger and more organised group than initially thought.
Three suspects have since been charged and released on a Sh1 million bond each, with the case set for pre-trial in early May.
Security agencies say they are now widening investigations to uncover any networks behind the attacks, amid growing concern that political violence could be taking a more structured and dangerous turn.