James Orengo has strongly condemned the attack on Godfrey Osotsi in Kisumu, terming the incident a coordinated act of intimidation targeting political voices.
In a statement shared on his Facebook account on Wednesday, the Siaya Governor described the early morning incident at Java House as a deliberate attack rather than a random act of violence.
“The barbaric, early morning ambush on Linda Mwananchi Principal and Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi at Java House, Western Mall in Kisumu, is a disgusting display of cowardice. Make no mistake, this was not a random act of violence,” Orengo wrote.
He alleged the attack followed a similar incident that occurred earlier at Grand Royal Swiss Hotel ahead of a planned rally in Kakamega.
“This is a clearly coordinated and organized pattern of intimidation aimed at silencing the voices of the people, coming as a second direct hit after the violent assault at the Grand Royal Swiss Hotel on the eve of our Kakamega Rally,” he said.
Orengo called on security agencies to act swiftly and make public the surveillance footage from the scene of the attack.
“We demand that the police immediately produce the CCTV footage from Java House and ensure the culprits are brought to book without further delay,” he added.
The governor also warned against attempts to use the incident to fuel ethnic tensions.
“Organizing this hit in the heart of Kisumu is a desperate and primitive attempt to incite tribal warfare between the Luo and Luhya communities, but we see through these dirty divide and rule tactics,” Orengo stated.
Despite the attack, Orengo insisted the political movement associated with Osotsi would continue its activities.
“These cowardly acts will not stop us, you cannot kill an idea whose time has come. Linda Mwananchi is a movement of the people, and this movement is unstoppable,” he said.
Meanwhile, Edwin Sifuna confirmed that Osotsi sustained injuries during the attack and was airlifted to Nairobi for treatment.
“I have spoken to Senator Osotsi’s team and confirmed that he was viciously attacked and injured in Kisumu earlier today when he went to get a haircut,” Sifuna wrote on X. “The Senator is being airlifted to Nairobi as we speak.”
