Vihiga Woman Representative seat aspirant Amakove Wala has detailed what she described as a harrowing two-hour ordeal after the Linda Mwananchi convoy came under attack while entering Homa Bay Town.
Wala said the convoy was subjected to live gunfire, tear gas, stone-throwing and vandalism as it made its way into the town. She claimed police officers stood aside during the chaos, with some allegedly participating in the attacks.
In a statement shared after the incident, Wala said one passenger in her vehicle spent much of the ordeal praying as the convoy struggled to escape the violence.
“There is a guy in our car who was praying throughout the two-hour ordeal,” Wala said, describing the incident as involving live bullets, tear gas, stones crashing into vehicles and bags being stolen.
She said vehicles in the convoy were forced to manoeuvre around rocks placed on the road, with some crashing into other cars as drivers attempted to escape the attackers.
Wala also praised the driver of her vehicle for remaining calm despite being at the back of the convoy and therefore receiving what she described as the “brunt of the hooliganism.”
“He just kept on driving. We arrived with half a car but we arrived,” she said.
According to Wala, several vehicles were badly damaged during the confrontation. She claimed some cars were vandalised, shot at with live ammunition and hit with stones, while others suffered punctures.
She further alleged that two vehicles were set on fire during the chaos.
Wala also accused police officers of either failing to intervene or participating in the attacks. She claimed her vehicle was stoned by a fully uniformed police officer.
“At some point the police themselves were stoning us. Our car was stoned by a fully clothed policeman,” she alleged.
The politician said personal belongings belonging to members of the convoy were also stolen during the incident. She said her bags containing documents, clothes and toiletries were taken.
Wala directly questioned Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga over the violence, appearing to hold her responsible for the attacks.
“Dear Governor Gladys Wanga, how are you sleeping tonight?” she asked, accusing the governor of failing to protect the convoy.
The allegations come amid reports of heightened political tensions during the Linda Mwananchi tour of Homa Bay, with the convoy reportedly encountering roadblocks, stone-throwing and confrontations with groups of youths.
Authorities and political leaders have yet to independently verify all of Wala’s allegations, including her claim that police officers participated in the attacks.
The Homa Bay chaos has triggered renewed debate over political tolerance and the safety of opposition-linked campaigns ahead of the 2027 General Election.