Wanga Fires Warning at Ruto Over Extra-Judicial Killings After Husband’s Sacking

Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga has declared political war on President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA), just days after the Head of State sacked her husband from a plum parastatal job.

In a fiery statement, Wanga condemned the growing wave of extra-judicial killings under the Kenya Kwanza administration and demanded immediate accountability from the police.

Her bold remarks come as questions grow over whether UDA is weaponizing state power to silence dissent. The pressure is now on Ruto to clean house—or face political fallout.

Wanga’s call for prosecution of not just individual officers but their superiors signals a new phase in the accountability war. If followed through, it could trigger high-level resignations or expose rot within the security command structure. [Photo: Courtesy]

Wanga Links Ruto Extra-judicial Killings to Police Impunity

Gladys Wanga has put the Ruto administration on notice, stating that the country is sliding into a dangerous state where police officers kill with impunity and walk free.

Her reaction follows a string of brutal incidents. A hawker was shot in broad daylight during protests in Nairobi. In Homa Bay, a 36-year-old fisherman, Calvins Omondi Onditi, allegedly died by suicide while in police custody at Kipasi Police Post—an explanation residents have strongly disputed.

On Ringiti Island, 34-year-old Gabriel Mwita Chacha was hospitalized with severe injuries after what witnesses say was a savage beating by police.

“Enough is enough,” Wanga said. “The perpetrators of these extra-judicial killings must face the full force of the law. We demand the prosecution of all officers involved, including their commanders.”

She stated that the killings are a direct violation of the 10-point agreement between ODM and UDA, which formed the foundation of the current broad-based government.

“Our support does not extend to unconstitutional repression,” Wanga warned. “We did not sign up for assassinations.”

Her remarks underscore a deepening split within the fragile alliance and spotlight Ruto’s struggle to hold together a political coalition that was formed more out of necessity than shared vision.

Husband’s Sacking from EPRA Sparks Political Retaliation

Wanga’s hardline stance comes just 48 hours after President Ruto terminated the appointment of her husband, George Wanga, as the non-executive chair of the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA).

The move, gazetted on June 16, ended Mr. Wanga’s term just five months after his appointment. He has now been replaced by Adan Haji Ali, who will serve for three years.

Sources inside ODM believe the dismissal was retaliatory—punishment for Wanga’s refusal to toe the Kenya Kwanza line on police brutality.

The governor’s opposition to state repression began in earnest following the April 30 assassination of Kasipul MP Charles Ong’ondo Were. Wanga openly questioned the silence from the national leadership and demanded swift investigations.

“Who killed Were? And why? That we must know. We didn’t sign up for the murder of our members,” she said in an earlier statement.

Her tough rhetoric contrasts sharply with the cordial relationship she once shared with President Ruto. The two had travelled abroad together, and Ruto had visited Homa Bay multiple times to launch multi-billion-shilling development projects.

His latest trip—just two weeks ago—was to preside over Madaraka Day celebrations. But even then, the tension between the two was clear. Behind the scenes, Wanga had warned that ODM could walk out of the broad-based government if the killers of Were were not brought to justice.

While Ruto has promised action and ordered investigations, critics say police accountability remains a mirage.

ODM Rift Deepens Over Ruto Extra-judicial Killings

Wanga is not alone in raising the alarm. Other senior ODM leaders have also voiced concerns that their party is being used to legitimize repression.

Secretary General Edwin Sifuna and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino have both spoken out against the government’s use of force. However, some top ODM officials like Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o and Siaya Governor James Orengo appear to have chosen silence in favour of development deals.

The growing discontent may force party leader Raila Odinga to act. Analysts believe the survival of the broad-based government may now depend on whether Ruto can rein in rogue officers and reassure ODM of his commitment to reform.

The extra-judicial killings have reawakened memories of past state violence and stirred anger among Gen Z protesters, civil society, and faith-based groups.

President Ruto has since asked the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to work with the National Police Service in probing recent deaths. However, without arrests or convictions, critics view it as lip service.

Wanga’s call for prosecution of not just individual officers but their superiors signals a new phase in the accountability war. If followed through, it could trigger high-level resignations or expose rot within the security command structure.

The ODM chairperson’s message is loud and clear—state power must not be used to silence citizens, and police officers must no longer act as executioners.