How Homa Bay County Deputy Governor Joseph Oyugi Magwanga Survived an Assassination
On the night of Sunday, May 11, 2025, Homa Bay County Deputy Governor Joseph Oyugi Magwanga narrowly escaped an assassination attempt, just days after the shocking assassination of Kasipul Member of Parliament, Charles Were. This close call for Magwanga has sent shockwaves through the region, especially following the tragic death of MP Were, who was gunned down while on his way home from parliament.
The harrowing incident occurred between 9:15 pm and 9:20 pm when Magwanga’s official vehicle, which was being driven by his security team, came under attack. The vehicle was targeted while returning from the Deputy Governor’s farm. Fortunately, Magwanga was not in the vehicle at the time, and the security team, who were present, managed to escape unharmed. A gunfight ensued, but everyone involved survived the attack without injury.
Early Warnings and Precautions Taken
Before the attack, Magwanga had been receiving credible intelligence about an impending assassination attempt. This timely information prompted him to take significant precautions. The Deputy Governor had received a warning just hours before the attack, alerting him to the danger. In response, he altered his route home, a decision that likely saved his life. Magwanga’s vehicle was attacked only 30 minutes after he had safely arrived at his home.
During a conversation with Kenyans.co.ke, the Deputy Governor’s Communications Director confirmed that the vehicle attack was indeed an attempted assassination, but Magwanga’s proactive measures helped him avoid harm.
Magwanga’s Message to the People of Homa Bay
In the aftermath of the attack, Magwanga expressed gratitude for his safety but also urged the people of Homa Bay to remain calm and avoid any retaliatory violence. He appealed for peace, emphasizing that such acts of violence should not disrupt the peace and stability of the county.
“Despite the risks, I want to urge all residents to maintain peace. When I was coming home, I received information that I was being followed, which forced me to take a different route,” Magwanga said in an interview with Ramogi FM on Monday. He continued, “My security was prepared, and when they saw the attackers approaching, they opened fire in self-defense, thinking that I was still in the vehicle.”
