Homa Bay Senator Moses Otieno Kajwang has condemned the violence witnessed during a political rally in the county, while defending development projects undertaken under President William Ruto’s administration.
Kajwang said the destruction of property and loss of lives reported during the unrest were unacceptable in a democratic society, calling for national security and intelligence agencies to explain what happened.
“Homa Bay has been trending for good and bad reasons. The goonism witnessed yesterday, the destruction of property and loss of lives is completely unacceptable in a democratic state,” Kajwang said in a statement on Monday, August 17.
The senator said residents deserved answers over the security failures surrounding the violence, while insisting that political differences should not prevent Kenyans from freely associating with communities across the country.
His remarks came amid heightened political debate following chaos that disrupted the Linda Mwananchi rallies in Homa Bay, with rival political sides trading accusations over responsibility for the violence.
Kajwang also weighed in on the debate surrounding the poor state of roads in parts of Homa Bay, particularly after images of dusty roads in Nyandiwa triggered widespread discussion on social media.
He said the concerns had opened a wider conversation about development and marginalisation in the county, but argued that several major infrastructure projects had been initiated or revived under Ruto.
“For years we thought that only a fellow villager, Raila Odinga, could develop our dusty villages in Suba. Then came William Ruto,” Kajwang said.
The senator listed the 74-kilometre Mbita-Sindo-Magunga-Soto road among projects he said were progressing, alongside the Lake Victoria Ring Road, which covers more than 500 kilometres, including spur roads.
He also pointed to the completed tarmacking of the 20-kilometre Rusinga Island Ring Road and ongoing works on the 54-kilometre Mfangano Island Ring Road.
Other projects cited included the Gor Mahia Ring Road, Lwanda-Osodo-Kanyakiamo Road, Sindo Town streets and a Sh1.7 billion irrigation project connecting communities around Gingo and Sindo.
Kajwang further highlighted the construction of the Lake Victoria Public Ferry, improvements at Kabunde Airstrip, the upgrade of electricity substations, Homa Bay fish market, affordable housing and Tom Mboya University hostels.
He said his role as senator was to protect and promote development projects regardless of political affiliations.
“My focus as the Senator of Homa Bay is on ‘Lindaring the Maendeleo’ of my people,” he said, urging residents to demand development while rejecting political violence.
Kajwang maintained that residents of Suba and Homa Bay deserved the same development opportunities as other Kenyans, stressing that political disagreements should not become a justification for violence or exclusion.