Mama Noureen Nalwanga (NyaUganda) tragically lost her life on Sunday evening after being overrun by a campaign vehicle during the Linda Mwananchi rally in Homa Bay.
I passed by her home in Mbuni Estate to stand with the family and share in their grief. My heartfelt condolences go to her family, friends and loved ones.
Political violence, provocation and lawlessness have absolutely no place in our society, for my nearly 20 years since my days as a student leader, I have remained consistent on this.
As I have stated before, Homa Bay County is a proud ODM stronghold, the very party that fought tirelessly for the expanded democratic space we enjoy today, including the constitutional freedoms of speech, association and peaceful assembly.
Given the immense sacrifices made by our people and the party to secure these fundamental freedoms, we cannot afford to stand by and watch them eroded or compromised in Homa Bay or anywhere else in our country.
We strongly condemn the violence and provocations witnessed on Sunday, which resulted in avoidable loss of lives, injuries and destruction of property.
I urge all political players, leaders and supporters to maintain peace, exercise tolerance and desist from rhetoric that inflame tensions or provoke our people. Political competition must never supersede our shared humanity, dignity and respect for human life.
I have urged the National Police Service to independently, impartially and thoroughly investigate the events of Sunday and take appropriate legal action against anyone found culpable, regardless of their political persuasions.
We owe it to Mama Noureen’s family and other families who lost their loved ones, to those who were injured, to the people of Homa Bay and to our country to ensure that justice is served and the rule of law upheld.
