Homa Bay County Deputy Governor Joseph Oyugi Magwanga narrowly escaped a planned assassination attempt on Sunday night, just days after Kasipul MP Charles Were, also from the same county, was tragically assassinated.
In an exclusive interview with Newshub.co.ke, the Deputy Governor’s Director of Communications confirmed that Magwanga’s official vehicle was attacked between 9:15pm and 9:20pm while it was heading back from one of his farms.
Luckily, Magwanga himself was not in the car at the time of the attack. Only his security officers were present in the vehicle.
According to reliable sources, the Deputy Governor had received advance warnings about a possible plan to eliminate him.
As a precaution, he made several changes to his routine to avoid the danger. On the night of the attack, just hours before the incident, Magwanga received another urgent phone call warning him of an active threat.
He quickly changed his route home, a decision that possibly saved his life. About 30 minutes after he safely reached his residence, his official vehicle was ambushed.
Reports indicate that a fierce exchange of gunfire occurred during the attack, but none of the security officers were injured. The attackers reportedly fled the scene after failing to locate their primary target.
Deputy Governor Magwanga later spoke out, urging the public to remain calm and not to resort to revenge or violence in response to the incident.
Speaking during a live radio interview with Ramogi FM on Monday, he gave more details about the terrifying night.
“I want to ask all Homa Bay residents to remain peaceful. When I was on my way home, I was informed that suspicious individuals were following me. I immediately decided to change my route and used the Gamba road instead, arriving from the opposite direction,” he explained.
“I had already told my team at home to open the gate early and be on high alert. My security officers were also prepared to receive me.
Just as I approached the gate, my security noticed suspicious individuals and opened fire after realizing the threat. The attackers fired multiple shots at the vehicle, assuming I was inside,” Magwanga added.
Although the Deputy Governor had previously been warned that his life could be in danger, he admitted that he had not taken the threats seriously until now. The attempted attack convinced him that the threats are real and his life is indeed at risk.
Magwanga, who also hails from Kasipul—the same area as the slain MP—has now become the second high-profile politician from the region to face life-threatening danger in recent days.
The shocking assassination of MP Charles Were occurred just five days earlier, on Wednesday, April 30.
The MP was gunned down by unknown assailants who had reportedly been tracking him as he left Parliament.
Despite taking security measures, including changing vehicles, he was ambushed while stuck in traffic. The attackers shot him five times, leading to his death.
Investigations revealed that his own bodyguard and driver were among the suspects arrested for allegedly playing a role in the brutal killing.
As the police continue with investigations, a preliminary report has indicated that political actors or disruptors may be behind the attack on Deputy Governor Magwanga.
The incident has left many residents of Homa Bay County shocked and fearful, as political tensions seem to be escalating rapidly.
Authorities have assured the public that they are treating the matter with the urgency it deserves, and further updates will be issued as investigations progress.
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