Alego Usonga MP Samuel Atandi has dismissed reports circulating on social media that he was stabbed and died while receiving treatment at Aga Khan Hospital in Kisumu, calling them false and misleading.

The rumours spread quickly on Saturday after claims that the MP had been attacked during a political event in Kisumu. Some posts claimed that he was stabbed in the stomach and rushed to the hospital. Others claimed he died from his injuries. The reports were not backed by any official statement from the hospital or police.

On Sunday, May 24, 2026, Atandi used his official X account to end the speculation.

“Yesterday, I heard I was stabbed in the stomach and died while undergoing treatment at Aga Khan Hospital, Kisumu. Well, God has allowed me to be alive,” he wrote.

His message confirmed that he was safe and in good health. It also showed how quickly false information spreads during tense political periods.

Rising political tensions

The rumours came at a time when Atandi had been at the centre of heated political exchanges in Kisumu and across Nyanza. In April, he warned supporters of the Linda Mwananchi movement ahead of their rally in Kisumu. He accused the group of disrespecting Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leaders and warned against what he called political provocation.

“I want to plead with our Kisumu people that despite our political differences, let us remain peaceful… If you come here to abuse our leaders, to declare some mediocre, or even to declare yourself the party leader of ODM, that is illegal, and we are not going to allow you,” he said.

He added:

“I am pleading with you, our party leader Oburu Oginga is an old man, he cannot come to the ground to deal with these people. I, Atandi, will be here on the ground… whoever is afraid should stay home.”

The false reports about Atandi’s death appeared to grow out of this tense environment. Atandi has also remained active in national politics. He chairs the National Assembly Budget and Appropriations Committee and has recently backed political figures in ODM, including public support for Babu Owino’s Nairobi gubernatorial ambitions.

Pattern of rising political violence in Kisumu

Recent incidents involving political leaders in Kisumu have further highlighted the fragile political climate in the region.

In one of the latest cases, Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi gave a detailed account of how he was attacked in Kisumu earlier this year in what he described as a politically motivated assault.

Speaking after receiving treatment, Osotsi said the incident happened suddenly while he was in a public place and initially believed the crowd around him was friendly.

“At first, I thought they were supporters. They were shouting ‘Senator’. I did not see any danger,” he said.

He said the situation changed within seconds when the group turned violent and began attacking him.

“All of a sudden, they started hitting me and asking why I was supporting one term and not supporting William Ruto,” he said.

Osotsi said he lost consciousness during the attack and only survived after his security team intervened and rushed him to hospital.

“I ran to the kitchen… that is how I was saved,” he said.

The senator was first taken to Aga Khan Hospital in Kisumu before being airlifted to Nairobi for specialised treatment. He later confirmed that he was recovering well and dismissed claims linking the attack to personal disputes, insisting it was politically driven.