Kipkalya Kones has directly confronted Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga and Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma over the violence that marred the Linda Mwananchi rally, demanding answers over allegations raised in a recent KTN investigation.
The political analyst questioned the two leaders’ response to the Homa Bay violence, saying their conduct since the incident should be scrutinised alongside the allegations contained in the investigative report.
Kones’ remarks followed KTN’s expose, which examined the events surrounding the violence during the Linda Mwananchi campaign in Homa Bay and featured accounts alleging that the attacks may have been organised before the political gathering.
In a pointed message directed at Wanga and Kaluma, Kones asked whether they understood the consequences of the allegations if even part of what had been reported by KTN was eventually established.
“My only questions to Gladys Wanga and Peter Kaluma are; Do you have children? Do you know the blood curses you bring upon them if just a fraction of the KTN allegations are true?” he said.
The analyst also raised questions about claims that individuals allegedly involved in the violence were later thanked for their role.
“How does anyone, including leaders of vicious murderous gangs, meet their thugs later to thank them for ‘a job well done’ after killing and maiming hundreds of people?” Kones asked.
His comments come amid heightened political scrutiny over the violence, which disrupted the opposition-linked Linda Mwananchi campaign in Homa Bay. The confrontation involved attacks on members of the campaign team, damage to vehicles and injuries, while subsequent reports raised questions about the organisation behind the unrest.
Kones argued that the controversy should not be reduced to a dispute between political leaders and KTN, insisting that the allegations attributed to witnesses deserved closer attention.
“Forget KTN, which is merely a messenger; worry about the people in Homa Bay who are telling the media house that you paid the killers and congratulated them after the ‘job’,” he said.
He further challenged Wanga and Kaluma to demonstrate their commitment to justice by explaining what they had done following the violence to ensure those responsible were identified and prosecuted.
“Even if KTN was lying about the allegations, and we assume that you are innocent, what have you said and done since the Homa Bay Massacre, to show that you want justice for your voters, or to bring the killers to book?” he asked.
Wanga has denied allegations linking her to the violence and criticised the media coverage surrounding the incident. Kaluma has similarly come under scrutiny over events and statements associated with the rally.
Kones, however, maintained that the allegations should be subjected to independent investigation, warning that accountability for the violence should not be abandoned with the passage of time.
“The entire country believes you are guilty. Only the two of you think you are innocent. There will be justice for the innocent human blood that was shed in Homa Bay. No matter how long it takes,” he said.
The allegations against Wanga, Kaluma and others remain unproven unless established through competent investigations or court proceedings.