Homa Bay Deputy Governor Survives Assassination Attempt After Gunmen Open Fire

Homa Bay County Deputy Governor Joseph Oyugi Magwanga survived an alleged assassination attempt targeting him on Sunday night, May 11.

According to reports, two unknown attackers allegedly ambushed a vehicle assigned to the deputy governor while it was heading to his home in Oyugis.

According to his communications officer, Samuel Owida, the assailants blocked the road and opened fire, thinking Deputy Governor Magwanga was inside. 

Luckily, he wasn’t in the car at the time. His security officer, who was onboard, fired back and managed to fend off the attackers. “Sensing danger, the assailants escaped into the nearby thicket,” said Owida. 

Homa Bay County Deputy Governor Joseph Oyugi Magwanga speaking on June 7, 2024. /NATIONAL SYNDEMIC DISEASES CONTROL COUNCIL

The suspects escaped into a nearby forest and are still on the run. Security agencies have launched an investigation and are actively hunting them down.

Oyugi was reported to have got wind of the assassination attempt and had thus taken several measures to evade the same.

Just hours before the attack on his vehicle, Magwanga received a warning that prompted him to change his route home—a move that may have saved his life, as the vehicle was ambushed just 30 minutes after he had safely arrived.

Magwanga has called on Kenyans to remain calm and avoid any retaliatory actions on his behalf. A preliminary police report suggests that the attempted shooting may have been orchestrated by political agitators.

"I would like to urge the rest of Homabay residents to maintain peace. When I was coming to my home, I got information that I was being trailed, it forced me to change my route to Gamba and come from the opposite route," The deputy governor said while speaking at Ramogi FM on Monday.

"I had already informed my people to open the gate in anticipation. My security was also ready to receive me, and as soon as I got near the gate, my security sighted them and opened fire on them when it was clear that they did not have good intentions. They opened fire on the vehicle with my security, thinking that I was in the car."

Despite receiving previous threats, Magwanga said he hadn’t been shaken—until the recent failed assassination attempt, which made him realise his life is now in danger.

The Deputy Governor, who comes from Kasipul, is the latest politician from the area to face a death threat. Back on Wednesday, April 30, Kasipul Member of Parliament, Charles Were, tragically died after being shot five times by gunmen who had been following him from Parliament.

Even after trying to protect himself by switching vehicles, he was gunned down when his car got stuck in traffic. His bodyguard and driver are among the suspects arrested in connection with the killing.

Homa Bay politician and businessman Philip Nahashon Aroko, who was accused of the murder, claimed that the investigation into the case was being influenced by political interference. 

Aroko attributed his police summons to Governor Gladys Wanga, accusing her of trying to implicate him in the murder of MP Were. He challenged the governor to present any evidence she may have connecting him to the crime.

"I want to tell the people of Homa Bay County that the politics in that county has turned into madness; it is not politics, it is thuggery. I saw the Governor pushing so much for me to be called here; she is making calls to the police for me to be called here to make a statement. She has achieved it now," he ranted.

"If she has something that she is sure about, then she has to prove her push for me to come here. I want to tell her that we are changing the politics from thuggery to civilised politics in that constituency because those who fight, kill and maim people are employees of the county government of Homa Bay. They are on her payroll. She has never talked about anything, but she has achieved this one, and she has pushed for me to be here."

Lawyer Omari further alleged that Aroko’s summons were driven more by county politics than factual evidence, suggesting that influential figures appeared intent on preventing him from attending the late MP Were’s funeral.