Homa Bay County Deputy Governor Joseph Oyugi Magwanga narrowly avoided an assassination attempt on Sunday night, just days after the murder of Kasipul Member of Parliament Charles Were, who hailed from the same county.
According to the deputy governor’s communications director, Magwanga’s official vehicle was ambushed between 9:15 p.m. and 9:20 p.m. as it returned from one of his farms. Fortunately, the deputy governor was not in the vehicle at the time. Only his security detail was on board.
A gunfight reportedly broke out during the attack, but no injuries were reported.
Sources close to the deputy governor revealed that Magwanga had received credible intelligence warning of a planned assassination attempt. In response, he altered his travel plans, a move that may have saved his life—his official vehicle came under fire just 30 minutes after he had arrived safely at home using an alternative route.
Speaking to Ramogi FM on Monday, Magwanga urged residents to remain calm and avoid retaliation.
“I would like to urge the residents of Homa Bay to maintain peace,” he said. “When I was heading home, I was informed that I was being trailed. I had to change my route and entered from Gamba. My security team was already prepared, and as soon as I arrived, they spotted the suspects and returned fire when it was clear their intentions were malicious.”
He added that the attackers had likely assumed he was in the car and opened fire, targeting his security team.
Magwanga, who hails from Kasipul Constituency, acknowledged that he had previously received threats but had not taken them seriously until now. The failed attempt has reinforced concerns for his safety.
The incident follows the assassination of Kasipul MP Charles Were, who was shot five times on April 30 while on his way from Parliament. Despite heightened personal security measures, including switching vehicles, Were was gunned down after his car stopped in traffic. His driver and bodyguard were later taken into custody as suspects in the murder investigation.
Preliminary police reports suggest political motives may be behind the Deputy Governor’s attempted assassination.
