Governor Gladys Wanga on Wednesday, August 19 visited the family of Mama Noureen Nalwanga (NyaUganda), a woman who tragically lost her life on Sunday evening after being hit by a speeding vehicle during the chaos that marred Linda Mwananchi rally in Homa Bay Town.
“I passed by her home in Mbuni Estate to stand with the family and share in their grief. My heartfelt condolences go to her family, friends and loved ones,” Wanga said.
The county boss distanced herself from the claims that she organised youths to cause mayhem and block the Linda Mwananchi entourage from entering Homa Bay, insiting that violence has never been her brand of politics.
“Political violence, provocation and lawlessness have absolutely no place in our society, for my nearly 20 years since my days as a student leader, I have remained consistent on this.”
According to Governor Wanga, Homa Bay is unapologetically an Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) stronghold, and that she strives to live by the party’s principles and ideals.
“[ODM] party fought tirelessly for the expanded democratic space we enjoy today, including the constitutional freedoms of speech, association and peaceful assembly. Given the immense sacrifices made by our people and the party to secure these fundamental freedoms, we cannot afford to stand by and watch them eroded or compromised in Homa Bay or anywhere else in our country.”
Wanga condemned the violence that saw two people killed, 46 others injured, and at least six vehicles burnt to ashes.
“We strongly condemn the violence and provocations witnessed on Sunday, which resulted in avoidable loss of lives, injuries and destruction of property.
“I urge all political players, leaders and supporters to maintain peace, exercise tolerance and desist from rhetoric that inflame tensions or provoke our people. Political competition must never supersede our shared humanity, dignity and respect for human life.”
The governor called upon the National Police Service to independently, impartially and thoroughly investigate the events of Sunday and take appropriate legal action against anyone found culpable, regardless of their political persuasions.
“We owe it to Mama Noureen’s family and other families who lost their loved ones, to those who were injured, to the people of Homa Bay and to our country to ensure that justice is served and the rule of law upheld.”
Family speaks
Nalwanga, popularly known as “Nya Uganda,” was a widow and businesswoman who lived in Shauri Yako Estate in Homa Bay Town. She had been raising her four children alone since the death of her husband in 2020.
Her First-born son, Sly Steward, a second-year student at Kenyatta University, recalled the devastating events of that day.
Steward said the family had been watching the Linda Mwananchi rally from their home when his mother received a phone call informing her that her business premises were at risk of being looted.
She hurried out to check on her business, but tragedy struck.
According to Steward, his mother was hit by a speeding vehicle while attempting to cross the road to reach the market. She was rushed to Homa Teaching and Referral Hospital, where she later succumbed to her injuries.
The death has left the family facing an uncertain future.
Steward says his mother was the sole breadwinner and catered for virtually everything the children needed, including school fees, clothing and other basic necessities.
With her sudden death, the four siblings are now struggling to figure out how they will continue with their education and meet their daily needs.
“We don’t even know how we will go back to school because our mother was doing everything for us,” Steward said, as he appealed for well-wishers and leaders to come to the family’s aid.
The pain has also been felt by relatives in Uganda, where Nalwanga was born.
Her uncle, Kigwana Nicholus, said the family received the heartbreaking news with disbelief and immediately travelled to Homa Bay to establish what had happened.
But upon arriving, they were confronted with another painful reality.
Kigwana said the family was informed that the relatives in Vihiga, Western Kenya, where Nalwanga had been married, were not ready to take her body, leaving them to begin making arrangements to transport her remains to Uganda for burial.
For her fellow businesspeople, the loss is that of a woman remembered for her warmth, happiness and generosity.
Jackline Adhiambo, who knew Nalwanga as a business colleague, described “Nya Uganda” as a jovial and hospitable woman who was loved by those around her.
She has appealed to political leaders and other well-wishers to intervene and support the four children, who she says have been left without a clear source of livelihood.
As the family mourns, they are not only seeking help to lay Nalwanga to rest but are also demanding justice over the circumstances surrounding her death.
For her children, however, the pain goes beyond losing a mother. They have lost the woman who was their provider, protector and hope for a better future.
