Last-Minute Call Saves Homa Bay Deputy Governor from Assassination Attempt

In a dramatic turn of events Sunday night, Homa Bay Deputy Governor Oyugi Magwanga narrowly escaped what officials are investigating as a possible assassination attempt at his rural home in Kabuor village, Kasipul constituency.

According to security reports and statements from the Deputy Governor, alert family members noticed suspicious movements near the compound around 10 PM while Magwanga was still traveling.

Their timely warning prompted him to divert his route and change vehicles—a decision that may have saved his life.

“I received intelligence information that some people were trailing me,” Magwanga told reporters at his home on Monday.

“I decided to take a different route because at that time I was still kilometers away from home.”

Meanwhile, security officers traveling in Magwanga’s original vehicle encountered armed individuals approximately 300 meters from his residence.

The situation quickly escalated.

“The gangsters moved a few meters away and began shooting ammunition towards the vehicle, thinking I was in the car,” Magwanga explained.

“It forced my security officers to shoot with the intention of repulsing the gang.”

A personal driver reportedly discharged four rounds from a licensed firearm as the suspects fled toward a nearby river.

Police from Oyugis and Rachuonyo South stations responded to the scene, though no spent cartridges or physical evidence of an attack were recovered.

The incident comes amid what Magwanga describes as escalating threats over the past two weeks, particularly following the death of Kasipul MP Charles Ong’ondo Were.

“I have received threats in the past but never imagined they would escalate so quickly,” Magwanga said.

“I am now going to treat the threats with due consideration.”

Senior police officers visited Magwanga’s residence Monday as part of their investigation.

Homa Bay Police Commander Lawrence Koilem confirmed authorities are taking the matter seriously.

“We’re planning to beef up the security of the deputy governor as investigations continue,” Koilem stated.

Local politician Newton Ogada, who appeared alongside Magwanga during Monday’s press conference, urged police to act swiftly, drawing parallels to the situation surrounding the late MP Were.

“The slain MP Were complained that his life was in danger, but no action was taken until he was killed,” Ogada cautioned.

“We must take issues of threats very seriously.”

Magwanga has since recorded a statement with police in Oyugis and dismissed circulating rumors that he planned to resign following the incident or that county assembly members were preparing impeachment proceedings against him.

“I neither have the intention to resign nor heard about plans by MCAs to impeach me,” he affirmed.

As investigations continue, the Deputy Governor has called for enhanced security measures for all leaders facing similar threats in the region.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​