Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga has warned that escalating political violence and the rise of armed gangs posed a threat to Kenya’s democracy, following a violent attack at a church service in Kisumu.
Speaking to reporters after Sunday’s chaos at St. Stephen’s ACK Cathedral, Odinga said armed men carrying machetes and bows and arrows attempted to disrupt a church service attended by Siaya Governor James Orengo and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna.
She described the violence as organised and well-financed, saying it was intended to silence alternative political voices through intimidation, destruction and physical attacks.
“These actions that we have witnessed over time are aimed at ensuring there is no alternative political expression, through destruction, physical assault and even death,” Odinga said.
The attack occurred during Kenya Anglican Men’s Association Day celebrations.
One person was killed, several others were injured and a number of motorcycles were set ablaze, according to Odinga.
She said the incident reflected growing political intolerance in Kenya, contrasting it with previous election periods when leaders from across the political divide were able to campaign freely in the region.
“Even when Raila Odinga was contesting, leaders from across the political divide, including former Presidents Daniel arap Moi, Mwai Kibaki and Uhuru Kenyatta, visited this region, campaigned freely, addressed our people and left peacefully.
Never have we witnessed the level of political intolerance that we are witnessing today,” she said.
Odinga accused unnamed senior officials of shielding criminal gangs, alleging they operated with the assurance of protection.
“We are seeing extortionist gangs becoming so brazen that they demand money from political leaders whenever they hold functions.
This impunity is born from the protection they receive from high offices,” she said.
Odinga also questioned the effectiveness of a six-point security plan recently announced by Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o, saying the church attack occurred less than two weeks after the measures were unveiled.
She warned that the violence could spread beyond politics, discouraging business activity and undermining public safety.
“The people who send you will not visit you in remand, nor raise your children if your life is cut short. You are worth more than what they offer you,” she said, addressing young people whom she said were being recruited into criminal gangs.
Odinga, who is seeking the Kisumu governorship in 2027, called for the protection of democratic freedoms and urged Kenyans to draw lessons from the country’s 2007 post-election violence.
“Kenya is greater than any individual, and no political ambition should divide us beyond repair,” she said.
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