Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga has gone on the offensive against sections of the media over coverage of the violence that disrupted the Linda Mwananchi rally, opening a new front in a political battle that could have far-reaching consequences for the 2027 elections.
Wanga has formally complained to the Media Council of Kenya over reports by KTN and The Standard which she says unfairly linked her administration to the August 16 violence that left two people dead and dozens injured.
The governor's move comes as scrutiny of the events in Homa Bay intensifies and as the county emerges as one of the early flashpoints in the struggle for political influence ahead of the 2027 General Election.
In her complaint dated September 7, Wanga accused the two media outlets of publishing and broadcasting what she described as “fabricated, unverified and highly prejudicial” allegations that damaged her reputation and undermined the integrity of her office.
She insisted that her objection was not to scrutiny of her administration but to what she considers a failure to distinguish between allegations and established facts.
“My concern is not with legitimate media scrutiny; I welcome accountability and open public discourse,” Wanga said, according to reports on her complaint. She accused the media outlets of presenting unverified claims in a manner that created a “false and deliberate impression.”
The complaint follows a KTN investigation aired on September 6 and a Standard report published the following day examining the events surrounding the attack on the Linda Mwananchi team.
The reports have placed renewed attention on allegations that political networks, financiers and local coordinators helped organise youths who disrupted the rally.
The Standard has reported allegations of preparations for the violence, including claims that groups of youths were mobilised ahead of the rally. Earlier reports by Daily Nation similarly said youths involved in the attacks were allegedly paid between Sh2,000 and Sh4,000, with some reportedly brought from neighbouring Migori County. The allegations remain contested and are part of a broader investigation into the violence.
Wanga has rejected any attempt to associate her administration with the violence.
She has repeatedly maintained that political competition cannot justify violence and that the events of August 16 should be subjected to an impartial investigation based on evidence.
“To be unequivocal: political competition is legitimate; violence is not,” she said in a response cited by The Standard.
Her latest confrontation with the media, however, places her in an increasingly difficult political position.
Wanga is not simply the governor of Homa Bay. She is also the chairperson of the Orange Democratic Movement, making her one of the most prominent figures in the political realignment taking place ahead of 2027.
The EastAfrican has described her as one of Kenya's rising political figures and noted that she has increasingly featured in speculation over President William Ruto's possible running mate for the next election.
That political profile has made developments in Homa Bay more consequential than an ordinary county dispute.
The August violence occurred as the political ground in Nyanza was already shifting. The Linda Mwananchi movement, associated with Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and other leaders opposed to the current ODM direction, has emerged as a challenge to the political establishment in the region.
Wanga, meanwhile, has been one of the strongest defenders of ODM's decision to work with Ruto.
In June, she publicly said ODM would continue working with the President and support his re-election campaign in 2027, saying the party had chosen to follow the path taken by the late Raila Odinga.
That position has placed Wanga at the centre of an increasingly complicated political equation.
