Tension remains high in Bumula Constituency in Bungoma County, following suspected arsonists attack that saw two homes belonging to supporters of area Member of Parliament (MP), Jack Wamboka, torched, leaving families fearing for their lives.
The assailants dawn attack, struck at around 2am, yesterday, at Mwiyenga village in Kimaeti Ward, targeting the homesteads of Boniface Wakwabubi and Mwalimu Ben Wang’unda, while their families were asleep.
Suspected to have used petrol to ignite the fires, the attackers fled before neighbours responded to distress calls and helped contain the blazes, averting what residents feared could have turned fatal.
Police have launched investigations into the two incidents, with detectives combing the scenes, to establish the circumstances surrounding the attacks and to track down the perpetrators.
The arson attacks have heightened political hostilities in the Constituency, where supporters of Wamboka and those allied to his political rival, Kenya Kwanza aspirant, Mwambu Mabonga, have been locked in bitter rivalry.
Local residents say the incidents are the latest in a string of politically linked confrontations in the area, with several residents allegedly beaten, stabbed or threatened over their political affiliations.
Recounting the ordeal, Wang’unda said he was woken-up by choking smoke, shortly after 2am, having arrived home late the previous night.
Disoriented, he used a torch to inspect the house.
“I found fire in the sitting room. I could smell petrol, so I did not switch on the lights,” Wang’unda said. “I called Miyanga Police Station, but I was informed they had no vehicle. I then alerted friends, who mobilised neighbours to help put out the fire.”
Wang’unda traced the rising hostility to political confrontations that reportedly flared-up during a funeral at Khelela village, accusing some residents of allowing partisan differences to fracture longstanding community ties.
He claimed that residents who hold divergent political views, are increasingly facing open threats.
Boniface Wakwabubi, whose home was also targeted, said he had never witnessed such thick smoke engulfing his house and appealed for calm.
“In politics, you persuade; you do not use force to make someone follow you. Everyone must be allowed to freely choose leaders of their choice,” he said.
Another resident, George Sangura, claimed he was recently accosted, while returning home by two assailants known to him, one of whom allegedly issued death threats, while boasting of impunity.
“One of them told me that even if he killed me, he would walk scot-free, while I rotted in the grave,” Sangura alleged.
Visiting the affected village alongside members of his political team, Bumula Member of Parliament, Jack Wamboka, condemned the attacks and accused security agencies of failing to shield residents from political intimidation.
The MP termed the incidents deliberate arson, aimed at punishing and intimidating his supporters, warning that continued inaction by authorities, could compel residents to organise their own defense.
“Our people cannot continue living in fear, while criminals operate with impunity. Security agencies must take responsibility, protect lives and property, and ensure justice is served,” Wamboka said, demanding the arrest of both the perpetrators and those financing or mobilising goons.
“Which country are we living in? I urge the police to remain non-partisan. You cannot force people to vote in a particular way,” he added.
Kabuchai Member of Parliament (MP) Majimbo Kalasinga, condemned the attacks, expressing concern over the safety of Wamboka’s supporters and warning against political intolerance.
“Don’t coerce people. Let them exercise their democratic rights. You had your time and it expired. As the Linda Mwananchi Movement family, an attack on one is an attack on all,” Kalasinga said, calling for swift investigations and accountability.
Both Wamboka and Kalasinga are aligned with the Linda Mwananchi Movement (LMM), a political outfit associated with Nairobi Senator, Edwin Sifuna, who has declared interest in challenging President William Ruto in next year’s General Election.
In response Mwambu Mabonga dismissed allegations surrounding the Mwiyenga arson attacks, describing them as stage-managed claims, intended to divert public attention from Friday’s attacks at a funeral in Khelela village.
He instead accused Wamboka of leading an incursion into Mwiyenga village accompanied by individuals he claimed had been implicated in the Khelela incident, which he said, left five members of his team injured and resulted in the theft of his protection officer’s licensed firearm.
Mabonga further alleged that the incursion left scores of residents injured, saying his immediate priority, was ensuring those affected received medical attention.
He said his team had formally reported both the Khelela incident and the alleged assaults in Mwiyenga to security agencies, calling for investigations and accountability.
“Political intimidation and manufactured narratives, will not deter us from serving our community. We remain committed to peace, accountability and standing firmly with our people,” he said.
Residents are now calling for heightened security patrols across the Constituency, insisting that political divergence, should not put lives and property at risk.
By Chris Mahandara
