Homa Bay Deputy Governor, Joseph Oyugi Magwanga, narrowly escaped an assassination attempt on Sunday night, in what is believed to be the latest in a series of security threats targeting county leaders. The incident, which occurred around 9 PM, saw gunmen lay an ambush near the Deputy Governor’s residence in Kabuor village, barely two days after the burial of Kasipul MP Charles Were.
According to one of the Deputy Governor’s security personnel, the family noticed unusual movements outside their compound while Oyugi was still away. The suspicious activity prompted a quick alert to the Deputy Governor, who immediately changed his route and took a different car. Upon arriving at his home, his security team engaged in a gunfire exchange with the attackers, forcing them to retreat.
Addressing the press following the ordeal, Oyugi confirmed that he had received threats against his life but expressed his shock at the speed with which the assassination attempt took place. He called on the relevant security agencies to expedite investigations into the attack and bring those responsible to justice.
This attack on Oyugi is the third in a series of violent incidents targeting political leaders in Homa Bay County within the last two months. Earlier, MCA Vickins Bondo survived a similar attack in Nairobi, adding to the growing concerns over the safety of political figures in the region.
The spate of attacks has raised alarms about the escalating insecurity in Homa Bay, prompting calls for a thorough investigation into the underlying motives behind the attacks. While it remains unclear who is behind these assassination attempts, it is evident that the security of local leaders is at great risk.
With these alarming events unfolding in the region, the Deputy Governor’s call for swift action from the security forces is gaining widespread support from the local community and leaders alike, who are all hoping for a resolution to this growing menace.
