Wanga hits back at Gachagua, accuses him of ferrying goons to Homa Bay ahead of Linda Mwananchi rally

Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga has hit back at the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua over allegations that she and Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo are behind a plot to mobilise goons to disrupt the Linda Mwananchi rally in Homa Bay on Sunday.

Wanga dismissed the claims, instead accusing Gachagua of ferrying youths from Githurai and Nyeri to Homa Bay to disrupt the rally himself.

“Gachagua, you’re the father of goons. Sahii nimeskia wale vibaraka wako ambao umewatuma huko kwetu…umetoa goons kutoka Githurai na Nyeri, umewatuma hapa,” Wanga said.

The Governor urged Gachagua to allow residents to attend the rally peacefully, warning against importing what she described as goons into the county.

“Sisi ni watu wa amani, tunakuomba usituletee mambo yako ya goons hapa. Watu wakija wakuje kwa amani, waongee kwa amani na waende kwa amani. Hatutaki mambo yako,” she said.

Gachagua had earlier alleged that plans were underway to disrupt the Linda Mwananchi rally, accusing Wanga and PS Omollo of being behind the alleged mobilisation.

“The President promised that goons won't be allowed and that they would be arrested. So far, no arrest has been made. Despite his assurances, I have credible intelligence that PS Raymond Omollo and Gladys Wanga have organised goons on Sunday to beat and kill people in Homa Bay against Linda Mwananchi,” claimed the former Deputy President.

Wanga also took issue with Gachagua's repeated references to the late long-term Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga, challenging him to stop invoking the former premier in his political campaigns.

“Gachagua, mimi nataka utoe jina yangu kwa mdomo yako. Na pia utoe jina ya Baba Raila Amollo Odinga kwa mdomo yako,” she said.

The Governor accused Gachagua of failing to visit Raila's final resting place or offer condolences to his widow, Ida Odinga, following his death.

She further recalled remarks she attributed to Gachagua during the period when Raila was leading anti-government demonstrations.

“Wewe kabla Baba apumzike, ulisema utarudisha Baba Bondo…ukasema ya kwamba ‘Baba ni nani? Atakufa watu walie siku tatu dunia iendelee.’ Siku hiyo Baba akapigwa risasi nane gari yake, hatujasahau,” Wanga said.

The ODM National Chairperson accused Gachagua of attempting to exploit Raila's legacy for political purposes, insisting that the opposition party had no political relationship with the DCP chief.

“You have nothing in common with Baba Raila Amollo Odinga, and as an ODM party, we have nothing in common with you,” she said.

The Homa Bay County boss further dismissed Gachagua's claims that ODM was a dying political outfit, arguing that the party had a national presence.

“Gachagua, naskia unasema ODM party imekufa. ODM party cannot be compared to your village party. ODM is a national party,” Wanga said.

The exchange comes as political tensions rise ahead of the Linda Mwananchi rally in Homa Bay, with both sides trading accusations over alleged plans to mobilise supporters and disrupt the event.