Siaya Governor James Orengo has claimed that a Member of Parliament called for his elimination as he alleged that plans were underway to disrupt the Linda Mwananchi rally scheduled for Homa Bay on Sunday, August 16.
Speaking during a media address on Wednesday, August 12, alongside members of the Linda Mwananchi movement, Orengo claimed he had been targeted because of his political activities and alleged that the MP behind the threat remained free.
“I have been targeted in these attacks. There is one MP who said I should be eliminated and is still free out there,” Orengo stated. He however did not name the legislator or provide details on when or where the alleged remarks were made.
Orengo linked the alleged threat to what he described as a wider plan to sabotage the Homa Bay rally, claiming that meetings had been held and weapons distributed in preparation for possible disruption.
According to the governor, a secret night meeting was allegedly held after the UDA-ODM Broad-Based Parliamentary Group meeting in Naivasha on August 10.
He claimed the gathering took place at Governor’s Park, where rungus, arrows and “hangars” were allegedly distributed, while additional weapons were purportedly kept at a governor’s residence.
“We have all the details of what they are planning. Yesterday, they had a night meeting after the UDA-ODM meeting at Governor's Park, where weapons were distributed. Rungus, arrows, and hangars, they were distributed last night,” Orengo stated.
The Siaya governor alleged that the governor’s residence in question had previously served as a “targeting centre” during the last General Election campaigns.
He further claimed that another meeting was held at the residence of Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma, where he alleged that a group he described as goons had gathered.
Orengo said evidence from the alleged meetings would be released, claiming that audio from the Governor’s Park meeting was already circulating.
“Today, there was another meeting at Honourable Kaluma's house, with goons, and I think at a later time, we're going to show you video material on some of these meetings. The meeting at Governor's Park, the audio is already out, with voices of the people that I'm talking about,” he stated.
The governor also alleged that market women in Homa Bay were being warned against setting up their stalls in the town on the day of the rally. He claimed traders were instead being directed to Kabunde Airstrip, where they were allegedly being registered to sell their goods.
Orengo suggested that the registration exercise was intended to prevent aircraft from landing at the airstrip ahead of the political gathering.
Despite the alleged plans, Orengo insisted that nothing would prevent Linda Mwananchi supporters from converging in Homa Bay on Sunday.
He warned that further meetings could be held across the county in an attempt to counter the growing momentum around the rally.
Orengo also said his side was prepared to guarantee the safety of rally attendees should police fail to provide adequate protection.
“We are willing to pay the price for the freedom of our country,” he stated, while urging residents of Homa Bay to remain firm.
“I urge the people of Homa Bay to stand strong and we are going to be there early and have a successful meeting, as we have had everywhere,” he added.
The allegations come days after Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga called for peace and political tolerance ahead of the Linda Mwananchi brigade rally.
Speaking at events in Rachuonyo East and Kabondo Kasipul, Wanga stressed that every leader has a constitutional right to campaign across the country without fear of violence.
Orengo's claims about an alleged assassination threat and plans to disrupt the rally had not, in his remarks, been independently substantiated. He also did not identify the MP he accused of calling for his elimination.
