Orengo condemns police brutality after Busia protest shootings
By Emmanuel Rono, May 24, 2026Siaya Governor James Orengo has condemned the excessive use of force by police during recent protests in Busia County, saying the death toll from Tuesday’s confrontations has risen to five.
Taking to his X account on Saturday, May 23, 2026, Orengo stated that he had travelled to the border town to condole with grieving families and view the bodies of those killed in various mortuaries.
“Today, I stormed Busia County to stand in deep solidarity with the resilient people of this border town, to condole with families grieving unimaginable losses, and to view the bodies of our fallen heroes in various mortuaries,” Orengo stated.
Among those killed, Orengo identified Fredrick Odiwour, whom he described as a prominent staff member attached to Busia Woman Representative Catherine Omanyo.
In a statement on her X account on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, Omanyo said she received the news with deep sorrow, revealing that Odiwour succumbed to injuries, adding that she is following up on the matter with the relevant authorities to ensure the circumstances surrounding the shooting are fully addressed and justice served.
“Papa succumbed to a bullet fired by a police officer in Busia. I am personally following up on the matter with the relevant authorities to ensure that the circumstances surrounding this incident are addressed and justice is pursued,” Omanyo stated.
What led to shooting
Orengo said the protests were triggered by the recent increase in fuel prices, which he said had worsened the cost of living and sparked matatu strikes in Busia and other parts of the country.
“These were not criminals; they were young Kenyans crying out against an economic chokehold, and their only crime was refusing to suffer in silence,” he stated.
“We must be clear about what sparked this uprising. The people of Busia, like millions of Kenyans across the country, were driven to the streets by a crushing 24 per cent surge in fuel costs.”
While condemning the destruction of property, looting and disruption of cross-border trade witnessed during the demonstrations, Orengo maintained that nothing justified the use of lethal force against protesters.
“Property can be rebuilt and trade can resume, but a human life, once taken, is irreplaceable,” he added.
Call for accountability
The Siaya governor accused police officers of using barbaric and excessive force against citizens protesting over harsh economic conditions.
He further called on the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to launch immediate investigations into the deaths and ensure officers responsible are held criminally accountable.
“We are demanding that the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) immediately launch swift, thorough investigations to ensure the culprits are brought to book. We do not want empty rhetoric; we want the rogue officers who pulled the triggers identified and held criminally accountable,” Orengo demanded.