A suspected gang leader in Homa Bay, Kassim Abdi Sebo, is set to face robbery with violence charges at the Kisii Law Courts, after a court ordered that he be moved from Homa Bay for security reasons.

Sebo, popularly known as Abdi, was due to take a plea in Kisii on Monday, October 12, according to The Eastleigh Voice and Kahawatungu.

Arrest at the bus stagePolice arrested Sebo at the Homa Bay Bus Stage on the night of Thursday, October 8, in an operation by officers from Homa Bay Police Station and Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) detectives under County Police Commander Lawrence Koilem, Nairobi News reported.

The officers were executing a warrant issued by the Homa Bay Law Courts in August over an allegation of assault causing actual bodily harm, contrary to Section 251 of the Penal Code. Police later said he would also face a charge of robbery with violence.

Police describe Sebo as the leader of a group known as the Hammer Boys and have linked him to several robbery and assault cases in the area. He has not been convicted of any offence and is presumed innocent.

Unrest and further arrestsThe arrest triggered chaos in Homa Bay Town, with businesses closing and anti-riot police deployed. Eight men who were with Sebo were arrested for allegedly obstructing officers. They were presented at the Homa Bay Law Courts, which allowed police to detain them at Oyugis Police Station for seven days while investigations continue.

Police arrested at least 19 more suspects over the weekend as they worked to restore order in the town.

Police had earlier ordered Sebo to surrender to the DCI at the Homa Bay County headquarters over investigations into deadly violence in the town during a recent visit by the Linda Mwananchi team. Reports said that violence left at least ten people dead, including a police officer. He allegedly ignored the order.

What nextThe outcome of the plea hearing in Kisii had not been reported by the time of publication. Prosecutors are expected to set out the charges before the court, which will decide whether to grant bail or keep him in custody.

Photo: Alfred Yambo CBS / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0