Police have launched investigations into reports that some unknown men who had laid an ambush near the residence of Homa Bay Deputy Governor Oyugi Magwanga on Sunday night were planning to eliminate him.

Magwanga’s bodyguard, Constable Danfred Ochieng, said they were driving to the deputy governor’s residence at around 10pm when they spotted two suspicious men hiding in a bush about 300 metres from the DG’s residence.

The DG was, however, not in his car.

The driver stopped the vehicle, and as the police officer got out of the vehicle, the two men escaped towards a nearby river.

Even without establishing the suspects’ identity or motive, he fired four rounds in the air, reportedly to thwart any attempts to breach their security. He was armed with a Jericho pistol.

Administration Police Constable Alphonce Were Agwanda, who was guarding the residence,e said he fired two rounds from his G3 rifle.

Officers from Oyugis Police Station and Rachuonyo South Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) visited the scene and combed the scene but no suspect nor any spent cartridge was found.

While addressing the media at his residence yesterday, Magwanga stated that he had received information that he was being trailed on Sunday evening when he decided to use a different route to get to his home.

“While on my way back home, I got wind that I was being trailed. Upon receiving this information, I decided to take a detour, which saw me arrive at my home from the opposite side,” he said.

He added: “My security detail, however, used the normal route and met with the suspected individuals a few metres from my home. My security detail fired the first shot on seeing the individuals hiding in a thicket, and on firing the second, they took off while exchanging fire with my security.”

Magwanga indicated that while he had prior information on attempts on his life, he had taken them lightly, but not anymore.

“At first, I had taken it lightly, but in light of what has happened, I have resolved to take necessary steps. I am also appealing to the residents of Homa Bay County to remain peaceful and desist from talks that may lead to commotion in Kasipul Constituency and the entire county,” Magwanga said.

Though police have launched investigations, a few questions remained unanswered over the incident with both the DG and his security team giving conflicting information.

While Magwanga says that the individuals exchanged fire with his security detail while fleeing, the officers did not report that there was any exchange.

Officers from Oyugis Police Station, who combed the area after the incident, also failed to retrieve any spent cartridges to substantiate the claim.

Magwanga added that the incident was part of the scheme to eliminate him and called on the investigative agencies to carry out a comprehensive and impartial probe into the incident.

“My life is under threat. I leave everything to God, but this was clearly a bad intent. It could have ended tragically,” he said.

The shooting came barely three days after the burial of Kasipul Member of Parliament MP, Charles Ongondo Were, who was gunned down in Nairobi on April 30.

Police have so far arrested several suspects in connection with the MP’s murder, although the motive remains unclear.

Conspicuously absent from the high-profile funeral was DG Magwanga, who despite being a former Kasipul MP himself, did not attend the burial in his own constituency leaving many wondering why he skipped it.

While the reasons for his absence were not officially communicated, reports surfaced earlier suggesting tensions after a Sh20,000 funeral contribution he had sent was reportedly returned to him by the late MP’s funeral committee.

Magwanga, who also serves as the County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture, has had a reportedly strained working relationship with the current governor Gladys Wanga.

MP Were was gunned down by an armed assailant on a motorbike along Ngong Road on Wednesday, April 30. The gunman shot him five times, with three bullets remaining lodged in his body. According to the government pathologist, the bullets pierced vital organs, making his survival impossible.

The gunman shot him five times, with three bullets remaining lodged in his body.

According to the government pathologist, the bullets pierced vital organs, making his survival impossible.

The suspected hitman, Isaac Kuria, along with an accomplice believed to have assisted in his escape, was later arrested by DCI detectives in Isebania while attempting to flee across the border into Tanzania.

The arrest brings the total number of suspects in police custody to 11. Among those already detained are Were’s bodyguard Allan Omondi, his driver Walter Owino, and William Imoli, who is believed to have played a central role in planning and financing the assassination.

Others include businessman and politician Phillip Aroko and Lake Basin Development Authority Director Ebel Ochieng—both alleged financiers—along with Edwin Oduor and Dennis Manyasi.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has indicated that efforts to apprehend other individuals believed to have been involved in the planning and execution of the murder are ongoing. Detectives are also analyzing financial transactions connected to the suspects, which may shed light on the motive behind the assassination.

Charles Ong’ondo Were was gunned down in traffic in what police believe was a well-orchestrated political hit. The case continues to develop as authorities intensify their crackdown on the wider network behind the killing.