Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya and Bumula MP Jack Wamboka have recounted a dramatic escape after their Linda Mwananchi convoy came under attack in Homa Bay, forcing them to abandon their vehicle and flee on foot.
Natembeya said the team sensed trouble while travelling from Kisumu towards Homa Bay after receiving several warnings that hired youths had barricaded roads along the route.
“We knew there was trouble ahead while leaving Kisumu when Siaya Governor James Orengo received warnings that hired goons had barricaded roads, but we decided to proceed with the planned political tour,” Natembeya said in Kitale.
The convoy came under attack at several stopovers in Homa Bay County, with stones hurled at the vehicles and several people reportedly injured, including Orengo.
“They started throwing stones at our vehicles. Some people were injured, including Governor James Orengo, who had to seek medical attention before he later rejoined us,” Natembeya said.
Despite the attacks, the leaders continued with their political engagements in Nyandiwa, Sindo and other parts of the county.
“We went to Nyandiwa, we went to Sindo and other places, and everywhere we went, people came out in large numbers to listen to us,” he said.
The situation became more tense as the convoy approached Homa Bay town, where Natembeya said roads had again been blocked with stones and crowds had gathered on both sides.
“When we were approaching Homa Bay town, we got stones placed on the road again. That is where it appeared that preparations had been made for a fight,” he said.
“They had blocked the road and there were people on both sides. We had very little space to move, and that is when the situation became very dangerous.”
Natembeya also questioned the source of tear gas allegedly used during the confrontation and the conduct of police officers deployed to the area.
“If it was civilians who were throwing the tear gas, then the question is where they got that tear gas from,” he said.
The situation turned critical when the vehicle carrying Natembeya and Wamboka was immobilised after its tyres were punctured with knives.
“The vehicle was attacked and we could no longer move using it. That is when Jack Wamboka and I found ourselves separated from the rest of the team,” Natembeya said.
He alleged that armed youths then pursued them as they tried to escape.
“There were youths carrying machetes, clubs and other weapons, and they were coming after us,” he said.
With their vehicle unable to move, Natembeya and Wamboka ran into a school compound in search of safety.
“Our vehicle could not move, so we ran into a school compound seeking somewhere to hide,” Natembeya said.
However, their pursuers allegedly followed them into the compound, forcing the two leaders to make another desperate escape.
“They followed us into that compound. We realised that if we stayed there, they were going to get us,” he said.
“Jack and I had to jump over a fence and run. We were running for our lives because the people who were pursuing us had machetes and clubs.”
The two leaders eventually found a taxi, which they used to travel towards Kisumu.
“We managed to get a taxi and that taxi took us towards Kisumu,” Natembeya said.
Wamboka said the incident would not deter the Linda Mwananchi team from engaging Kenyans peacefully.
“We have a right to go anywhere in this country and talk to Kenyans. We should not be attacked simply because we have gone to sell our political agenda,” he said.
The leaders have since demanded investigations into the attack and the arrest of those they allege planned and executed it.
Natembeya questioned why security agencies failed to prevent the confrontation despite receiving advance warnings.
“We had alerted the security agencies that we had information that there could be problems in Homa Bay. So the question is, why were adequate security measures not put in place?” he said.
He warned that failure to hold those responsible accountable could encourage similar attacks elsewhere.
“If people can organise youths to attack political leaders and nothing happens, then tomorrow another group will do the same thing somewhere else,” Natembeya said.
The two leaders also challenged Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen and Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja to explain why no arrests had been made over the alleged attack.
“We are asking the government to investigate this matter and arrest those who organised the attack. Political differences should never be a reason for people to organise violence against their opponents,” Wamboka said.
Natembeya said the attack would not stop the Linda Mwananchi team from continuing its political outreach across the country.
“We will continue moving around the country and talking to Kenyans. Nobody is going to intimidate us out of exercising our constitutional right to engage with the people,” he said.
He called for equal political space and security protection for all political groups.
“If the government has suspended the Constitution and decided that there are certain places where leaders cannot go, then they should tell us that Homa Bay is a no-go zone,” Natembeya said.
