A raid on a Kisumu hotel owned by politician Irungu Nyakera stemmed from KSh27 million rent arrears, according to court documents. Nyakera claims it was politically motivated, but the Lake Basin Development Authority says it was lawful enforcement. The incident occurred on March 11, 2026.
The gunfire and chaos at a Kisumu hotel linked to Irungu Nyakera erupted on the morning of March 11, 2026, when auctioneers sent by the landlord raided the premises over arrears exceeding KSh27 million in rent. Court records show the hotel entered a consent agreement in June 2025, acknowledging the debt and outlining a repayment plan. However, payments failed, and on February 12, 2026, the High Court in Kisumu, under Justice Alfred Mabeya, ruled that the hotel breached the agreement and that cheques for partial payments were dishonoured.
The court upheld the Lake Basin Development Authority's (LBDA) actions to attach and auction the property as lawful. The hotel sought to counter this in the Kisumu Magistrate's Court, where orders to return seized items were issued on February 13, 2026, but on February 18, Principal Magistrate Benson Ireri deemed those orders irregular for failing to disclose the ongoing High Court case. LBDA has emphasized that its enforcement is strictly legal and not politically driven, with the lease terminated on February 12, 2026.
Nyakera, an opposition politician, claims over 100 goons were sent by his political rivals, assaulting staff, tying up a female security guard, and damaging property. He fired two shots into the air to disperse them. In a statement on X, he said: "At 5am today, over 100 goons attacked my hotel in Kisumu, damaging property and injuring our staff, including tying up the security lady. Upon hearing the commotion, I quickly went after them, shooting twice in the air as they fled."
CCTV footage captures the goons entering at 5:15am, smashing furniture, and carrying away goods. A similar incident occurred weeks earlier. LBDA states the hotel is now an unlawful occupant.
