Gladys Wanga and Abigail Gikonyo in a past event.
Linda Mwananchi mobiliser Abigail Gikonyo has launched a scathing attack on Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga following Sunday's violence that disrupted a political gathering in the county.
In a lengthy message directed at Wanga, Gikonyo accused the governor's administration of failing to protect political opponents and questioned how a leader she once strongly supported had, in her view, become associated with political violence.
Gikonyo said her relationship with Wanga's political journey dates back to the governor's campaign for the Homa Bay gubernatorial seat.
She recalled being inspired by Wanga's decision to seek the top county position, saying she believed her election would demonstrate the importance of women occupying senior leadership positions.
According to Gikonyo, she approached her mentor and former Samburu Woman Representative Naisula Lesuuda to help introduce her to Wanga so that she could contribute to the campaign.
She said she subsequently mobilised young women from outside Homa Bay, particularly through online platforms, to support Wanga's gubernatorial bid.
Gikonyo also recalled travelling to Homa Bay with other Azimio women during the campaign, claiming they attended several campaign stops without encountering attacks or acts of violence.
However, she said her perception of Wanga changed following Sunday's confrontation, which she described as a terrifying experience that nearly cost her life.
“You can therefore imagine what it feels like, years later, to find myself in a situation where, under your own leadership, I was almost killed,” Gikonyo said.
She claimed she witnessed two young men being attacked with pangas during the incident and said the violence left her fearing that she might never return home to her children.
Gikonyo further alleged that the situation remained tense even after those caught up in the violence sought medical attention at Homa Bay County Referral Hospital.
She claimed individuals she described as goons were allegedly sent to the facility to establish who was present and determine how the confrontation could allegedly continue.
The allegations have not been independently verified.
Gikonyo questioned how Wanga's leadership had changed from the image she said the governor projected during her campaign.
“How did power transform you into the very thing you once told us you would never become?” she asked.
The Linda Mwananchi mobiliser said her criticism should not be interpreted as an attack on women in leadership, arguing that elected leaders must be judged by how they exercise power and protect citizens.
She accused Wanga of failing to uphold the democratic values she had expected from her leadership and vowed to continue speaking about what she considers abuses of power.
Gikonyo said the Linda Mwananchi camp would document and publicise incidents of political violence, particularly where young people are allegedly used to advance political interests.
“Leadership is a privilege, not a licence to terrorise those who disagree with you,” she stated.
Her remarks add to growing political tensions in Homa Bay, where rival political groups have traded accusations over Sunday's violence, raising fresh concerns about political intolerance as Kenya moves closer to the 2027 General Election.