Gachagua's Convoy Attacked by Goons in Bungoma

 

By Vivian Anyango 

CHWELE, Bungoma County — Tension gripped Chwele town on Thursday after a convoy carrying top opposition leaders, including former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, was violently attacked by unidentified goons.

The leaders, who were en route to Kitale as part of their ongoing Western Kenya tour, were forced to flee for safety after their convoy came under a barrage of stones and projectiles. Also in the convoy were former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i and Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya.

According to lawyer Ndegwa Njiru, who was part of the opposition team, the attack occurred suddenly as their vehicles were surrounded by a mob armed with stones, clubs, and knives.

“They hijacked our convoy, pelted us with stones, and we had to speed off to avoid serious injuries,” Njiru recounted.

Videos circulating on social media showed chaotic scenes as the crowd threw stones and pursued the leaders’ vehicles, with some individuals wielding clubs. In the footage, police presence was visible, but officers appeared passive as the violence escalated.

Former nominated Senator Gloria Orwoba, who also witnessed the incident, claimed that the attackers were aided by the police.

“The police are working with the goons — they’re not even trying to stop them,” Orwoba said. “Some of the attackers were armed with knives. One of our colleagues was seriously injured and had to be rushed to hospital.”

Orwoba described the injuries as severe, revealing that the wounded leader suffered deep head cuts and multiple injuries to the body.

“It’s evident that the authorities who should be protecting us are instead enabling violence against dissenting voices,” she added.

Despite the attack, the opposition leaders remained defiant. The team regrouped and continued to Kitale, where they addressed a crowd and reaffirmed their commitment to their national "liberation cause."

Speaking later in Bungoma, Gachagua condemned the violence but expressed confidence that the people of Bungoma and the wider Western region were ready for change.

“This county is ready to rewrite the wrongs of the past and forge a brighter future,” he said.

The incident has sparked public outrage online, with civil society groups calling for investigations into the alleged collusion between police and the attackers.