Siaya Governor James Orengo has accused Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga and President William Ruto of being behind the violence meted on his convoy and team during a political tour of Homa Bay County on Friday, May 29.
The governor alleged that the duo hired goons that attacked his convoy at multiple locations within Homa Bay County.
Orengo said the trouble started the moment his ferry docked at Mbita, where a group of attackers was allegedly waiting for him.
“The trouble began the moment our ferry docked at Mbita, where an organized group of goons targeted my motorcade, smashing my vehicle’s windscreen and damaging several other fleet cars,” he said.
Despite the attack, Orengo said he pushed on and held rallies in Mbita Town, Rusinga Island, and Sindo in Suba South Constituency. But the violence only got worse as the day went on.
“As we proceeded to Sindo in Suba South, the desperation of our detractors intensified. Roadblocks of burning tyres were erected, stones were pelted at us, and a dedicated member of our team, Cvilizer Aran, was brutally attacked,” he stated.
The worst incident came at Kodoyo Junction, where Orengo said the road had been deliberately blocked using a concrete electric pole and massive boulders, and attackers descended on his convoy with stones and machetes.
“The road was deliberately barricaded with a concrete electric pole and massive boulders. Hired militia rained stones on our convoy and hacked two of our team members, who are currently nursing severe injuries at Tranquil Hospital in Homabay,” he said.
Orengo pointed the finger directly at Governor Wanga, accusing her of using the violence for political gain while hiding behind a public image of respectability.
“It is deeply shameful and hypocritical for Gladys Wanga to masquerade as a leader and a mother while orchestrating the cold-blooded slaughter of other mothers’ children for political mileage,” he claimed.
He also accused the police of standing by and watching while his team was being attacked.
Governor Orengo connected their inaction to the recent withdrawal of his official security detail, which he said was deliberately timed to leave him exposed.
“What is even more telling is that all these violent incidents occurred in the full glare of the police, who stood by as mere bystanders. Now it makes perfect sense why the state withdrew my official security detail just before this trip. They wanted to leave us exposed to harm,” he said.
Orengo closed with a warning to President Ruto, invoking what he described as a history of violence against the Luo community.
“Do not attempt to take my life. Too many Luos have already lost their lives under your watch in unclear, bloody circumstances,” he stated.
Despite everything, Orengo thanked residents of Homa Bay who he said stepped in to protect his team, and vowed to return to the county regardless of the threats against him.
