Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga visits the family of woman killed during Linda Mwananchi rally in Homa Bay/ HANDOUT
Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga has visited the family of Mama Noureen Nalwanga, popularly known as NyaUganda, who died during a Linda Mwananchi rally in Homa Bay on Sunday evening.
She visited Nalwanga’s home in Mbuni Estate to console the family and share in their grief. The governor said Nalwanga was run over by a vehicle.
The governor condemned political violence, provocation and lawlessness, saying they have no place in society.
“My heartfelt condolences go to her family, friends and loved ones. Political violence, provocation and lawlessness have absolutely no place in our society; for my nearly 20 years since my days as a student leader, I have remained consistent on this,” she said.
Wanga said Homa Bay is a stronghold of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), a party she said fought for the expanded democratic space enjoyed in the country.
She said the sacrifices made by the people and the party to secure these freedoms should not be allowed to be undermined.
“As I have stated before, Homa Bay County is a proud ODM stronghold, the very party that fought tirelessly for the expanded democratic space we enjoy today, including the constitutional freedoms of speech, association and peaceful assembly,” she said.
“Given the immense sacrifices made by our people and the party to secure these fundamental freedoms, we cannot afford to stand by and watch them eroded or compromised in Homa Bay or anywhere else in our country.”
The governor condemned the violence and provocations witnessed on Sunday, saying they resulted in loss of lives, injuries and destruction of property.
She urged political players, leaders and supporters to maintain peace, exercise tolerance and avoid rhetoric that could inflame tensions or provoke people.
She said political competition should not override respect for human life.
Wanga also called on the National Police Service to investigate the events surrounding Sunday’s rally independently and impartially.
“I urged the National Police Service to independently, impartially and thoroughly investigate the events of Sunday and take appropriate legal action against anyone found culpable, regardless of their political persuasions,” she said.
She said justice must be served for Nalwanga’s family, other families who lost loved ones and those injured during the incident.
“We owe it to Mama Noureen’s family and other families who lost their loved ones, to those who were injured, to the people of Homa Bay and to our country to ensure that justice is served and the rule of law upheld,” Wanga said.
NPS arrested 37 suspected gang members following violent incidents during the Linda Mwananchi rally in Homa Bay County on Sunday.
The suspects were allegedly found in possession of crude weapons, including machetes, ropes, metal rods, knives, rungus, batons and torches.
In a statement on Monday, the NPS said the arrests were part of intensified operations following incidents recorded during the rally on August 16.
“Security deployment, proportionate to the nature and anticipated requirements of the event, was coordinated by the Nyanza Regional Police Commander. Regrettably, several criminal incidents were recorded, including an attack on journalists performing their lawful duties, damage to five police vehicles deployed for public order maintenance, and damage to several civilian motor vehicles,” NPS said.
The Service said several criminal incidents were reported, including attacks on journalists, damage to five police vehicles deployed for public order management and destruction of several civilian vehicles.
