Homa Bay County Secretary for the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party, Silas Jakakimba, has fired back at a section of political leaders from the lakeside county over their remarks on the murder of Kasipul MP Charles Ong’ondo Were.

In a statement issued via his official social media accounts on Saturday, May 3, 2025, Jakakimba condemned the rise of political intolerance witnessed in Homa Bay County amid the probe into the MP’s murder.

The former Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga’s aide maintained that UDA leadership, both at national and county levels, have called for speedy investigations into the brutal murder of Were and urged for restraint, peace and unity of people at the county level as state agencies and security captains play their investigative roles.

“We condemn the rising tirade of irresponsible remarks and increasingly intolerant voices from sections of elected and non-elected leaders within and from Homa Bay County. It is on record that the Ruling Formation UDA leadership, both at national and county levels, have called for speedy investigations into the brutal murder of Kasipul MP Ong’ondo Were. At the county level, we urge restraint, peace and unity of our people as state agencies and security captains play their investigative roles,” Jakakimba stated.

Jakakimba calls for restraint

Jakakimba went ahead to call for restraint and unity, emphasising Kenya’s democratic principles and equal political rights for all parties in Homa Bay, while urging leaders to foster peace and development, contrasting with the region’s rising tensions and historical political violence.

“We wish to candidly reiterate that Kenya is a multiparty democracy, and the spaces and unit levels for its consequential practice are the counties spread out in 47 regions of the republic, including Homa-Bay County,” he wrote on X.

“The UDA, ODM and all other legal political vehicles carry equal and unfettered political rights to representation and grassroots activities in Homa Bay County and elsewhere in the country. For the record and in the interest of clarity, we urge maximum restraint and call for all leaders from across the board to prime the spirit of individual responsibility and foster an environment conducive for the uplifting of our peoples’ livelihoods through development projects, cohesion and tolerance.”

Governor Wanga’s outburst

Jakakimba’s remarks come hours after Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga demanded that the killers of the Kasipul lawmaker be identified and brought to justice.

Speaking on Saturday, May 3, 2025, Wanga said while the ODM party agreed to work with President William Ruto’s government, it never agreed to the targeted assassination of its members.

“Who killed Kasipul MP Charles Were and why? That we want to know, and not in the far future; in the near future. We have said we are working together, but we did not sign up for the assassination of our members,” she said.

Wanga further expressed anger over the rising political tensions in Nyanza, describing them as attempts to destabilise ODM strongholds.

She warned against political incitement in the region and reaffirmed her commitment to defend the party’s presence in Nyanza.

“As the national chairman of the ODM party, I also want to make it very clear that Homa Bay County and the entire Nyanza region is an ODM zone. The next time I see people in this region shouting ‘UDA’, we will not agree; we will not accept. It will not happen under my watch as the national chairman of the ODM party,” Wanga affirmed.