Magwanga escapes alleged gun attack after death of Kasipul MP

Police in Homa Bay have beefed up the security of Deputy Governor Oyugi Magwanga after he was allegedly targeted by unknown assailants.

Magwanga, a former MP of Kasipul and a former rival of the slain area MP Ongondo Were believes his life is in danger after encountering a gun incident on Sunday.

He claimed he had received several threats after the death of the MP and has been forced to be extra-vigilant with his security after the murder of the MP.

According to Magwanga, a group of gangsters who wanted to harm him attempted to attack him next to his home.

Police are yet to unravel the motive of the attack and the faces behind the attack, but have beefed up security for Magwanga.

Homa Bay County Police Commander Lawrence Koilem said investigative agencies have launched investigations into the incident but they have also beefed his security.

According to the commander, they are not taking chances with the security of leaders after the murder of Were.

“We don’t want a repeat of what happened before,” he said.

Magwanga, a seasoned politician, said he had received intelligence that some people were targeting him. Magwanga said he was returning home when he received information that he was being followed by some people.

“I decided to take an alternative route to my home at Kabuor village, East Kamagak Ward in Kasipul Constituency at around 9 pm,” he told the Nairobian.

He said he had alerted his security team to meet him while on his way. However, as the officers were travelling on the original route he had diverted from, they encountered a gang armed with firearms.

On seeig the vehicle, the gang opened fire, prompting Magwanga’s security officers to return fire to repel the attackers. The gang then fled into a bush.

The Deputy Governor alleged that the attack was part of a plot to eliminate him.  “I received threats after the death of our MP, but I took them lightly. This attack has shown me that the threats were real,” said Magwanga.

Kasipul politician Newton Ogada urged the police to expedite investigations, recalling that Were had previously complained about threats to his life but no action was taken.

“Let our security agencies intervene swiftly to prevent a repeat of what happened to Were,” Ogada said and urged Homa Bay politicians to maintain peace.”