Orengo’s Car Torched in Migori as Natembeya Warns of Attempts to Paint Nyanza as Hostile

Siaya Governor James Orengo says his car was torched and live bullets fired at the vehicle during political activities linked to the Linda Mwananchi movement in Migori County on Saturday, escalating concerns over political violence in Nyanza.

The incident happened as Orengo and his team held a public engagement in Migori Town, where the rally was disrupted after tear gas was released into the crowd. Video footage from the scene showed the governor being hurried into his vehicle as people scattered, with his convoy and motorcycles leaving the area.

Orengo later shared photographs of a burnt vehicle, saying it was attacked in Awendo.

“They swore we’d never step foot in Migori. They failed,” Orengo said.

He accused the attackers of firing live bullets at his vehicle and setting it on fire, saying the incident would not stop the movement.

“You can’t burn down a movement, and you will never intimidate me,” he said, ending his message with the slogan “Unbwogable!”

The identity of those responsible for the attack has not been established, and the allegations about live ammunition have not been independently confirmed in the reports reviewed.

Natembeya warns against portraying Nyanza as hostile

The incident comes amid growing political activity by opposition leaders seeking to build support for the Linda Mwananchi movement ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya, who has been associated with the movement, said the violence risks creating a perception that Nyanza is hostile to political groups seeking to campaign in the region.

“They want to create the perception that Luo Nyanza is hostile, to scare us away and use the region to manipulate the elections,” Natembeya said.

His remarks came against the backdrop of a series of confrontations involving the movement in Nyanza.

Homa Bay violence raised earlier alarm

The Migori incident comes less than two weeks after violence disrupted Linda Mwananchi activities in Homa Bay County on August 16.

The Homa Bay clashes involved road blockades, stone-throwing and attacks on members of the movement's convoy. At least four people were reported dead, dozens were injured and several vehicles were torched.

The violence also affected journalists covering the events, with several media workers injured and equipment damaged or stolen. A vehicle belonging to a media company and a public-address vehicle associated with Natembeya were among those reported torched during the Homa Bay unrest.

The National Police Service said suspects were arrested in connection with the Homa Bay violence, while the National Cohesion and Integration Commission moved to investigate the events and indicated that politicians could be summoned.

Political battle intensifies in Nyanza

The confrontations are unfolding as Linda Mwananchi leaders seek to expand their political presence in a region traditionally associated with the opposition.

The movement, led prominently by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, has been holding rallies and public engagements across the country as leaders position themselves ahead of the 2027 elections.

The Homa Bay campaign was particularly significant because the county remains a key opposition stronghold. The violence there exposed the increasingly competitive struggle for political influence in Nyanza.

Orengo and his allies have maintained that the disruptions will not stop their mobilisation.

The latest incident in Migori is likely to intensify scrutiny of security arrangements for political rallies and raise questions about whether rival political groups will be allowed to campaign freely across the region.

For now, no group has been officially identified as responsible for torching Orengo's vehicle, and investigations into the incident will be critical in establishing what happened in Awendo and whether it is connected to the wider pattern of violence surrounding Linda Mwananchi activities.

The movement is scheduled to continue its mobilisation in Meru on Sunday, with Sifuna and other leaders expected to take part.