Wanga puts UDA on notice over extra-judicial killings days after Ruto sacked husband from EPRA job

Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga has put the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) on notice over continued extra-judicial killings by police, saying they did not sign an agreement to repress Kenyans.

It terse statement issued today (Wednesday), Wanga condemned continued extrajudicial killings by police and the shooting of a hawker during yesterday’s protests in Nairobi.

She said Omondi’s killing, which she attributed to a wave of police impunity, has shaken Kenyans collective national conscience.

She also cited the death of 36-year-old fisherman, Calvins Omondi Onditi, who police claim he hanged himself at Kipasi Police Post in Mbita, the shooting of Philip Okech and a hawker selling face masks during yesterday’s protests in Nairobi and the beating of 34-year-old man, Gabriel Mwita Chacha who was brought to the Homa Bay County Referral Hospital with life threatening injuries after being beaten by officers in Ringiti Island.

“Enough id enough. The perpetrators of this extrajudicial killing must face the full force of the law. The Kenya Police Service must carry their own cross. We condemn these atrocities and demand accountability. The prosecution of all officers involved, including those bearing command responsibility,” the governor said.

She said the 10-point ODM-UDA agreement prohibits extrajudicial killings, adding that they are holding the broad-based government to this commitment.

“Our support for the broad-based government does not extend extrajudicial killings and police impunity. We draw the line on extrajudicial executions. Illegal and unconstitutional  repression is not part of the agreement,” Wanga added.

The bold stand comes barely two days after President William Ruto dismissed the governor’s husband, George Wanga as no-executive chairman of the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) barely five months into his appointment.

Mr Wanga, who served mostly in the financial services sector before his appointment, has been replaced by Adan Haji Ali, who will serve for a period of three years.

The move, which was announced through a notice in the official Kenya Gazette dated June 16 is being seen as the result of a fallout between Ruto and Wanga following her strong stand against extrajudicial killings, which she has maintained since the assassination of Kasipul MP Charles Ong’ondo Were on May 1.

Until the killing of Were, Wanga was seen as one of the politicians who enjoyed close ties with President Ruto with her name being propped up as a potential replacement for Rigathi Gachagua following his impeachment in October last year.

Apart from accompanying the president on overseas trips, Ruto also made several trips to Homa Bay during which he launched various multi-billion projects.

His latest trip is a four-day tour of the county early this month during which he presided over Madaraka Day celebrations.

However, the tour came against the backdrop of the governor, who doubles as the ODM national chairperson, threatening to pull the Orange Party from the broad-based government if the truth about who killed Were is not uncovered.

“Who killed Were? And why? And for what? That we want to know. And not in a far future, in the near future. And I can tell you, we have said we are working together, but we did not sign up for the assassination of our members,” she said on May 3.

This despite President Ruto assuring Kasipul residents that his government will do everything possible to get those who killed their MP.

The police have seen charged several suspects in relation to the murder.

Similarly, Ruto has called for swift, transparent and credible investigation into the death of Ojwang, asks National Police Service (NPS) to cooperate with Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA).

Wanga now joins other critics within ODM ranks who are unhappy with with some of the actions of the broad-based government, where several of its members serve including five in the Cabinet, which they fear could boomerang on the party if the agreement with UDA is not fulfilled.

Others include Secretary General Edwin Sifuna and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino. Kisumu Governor Anyang Nyong’o and his Siaya counterpart James Orengo have gone slow on their criticism instead opting to embrace development projects by the national government.

Following Wanga’s latest stand, it is likely to fall on party leader Raila Odinga to intervene to avert the collapse of the broad-based government, which was formed after the Gen Z revolt last year threatened Ruto’s hold on the ship of state.