Witnesses in Malava have alleged that the violence, which led to the torching of former Defence CS Eugene Wamalwa’s vehicle, was carried out by gangs allegedly linked to prominent political figures.
The witnesses claimed the attackers were ferried from neighbouring constituencies, rather than being residents of Malava, where the confrontation occurred.
According to the accounts, the group responsible for the destruction was a team of youth acting under the instruction of well-known political actors.
“While the leader of the gang was covered, we know him, and since the vote is in Malava and not Mumias, he should let it go on peacefully,” one witness said.
Another witness alleged that “another political kingpin was involved with the goons who attacked and lit Wamalwa’s vehicle,” further claiming the attackers made away with two briefcases before setting the vehicle ablaze.
Witnesses described the attackers as “a large group of more than 10 vehicles, involving club- and gun-wielding goons,” who shot in the air and assaulted supporters before torching the car.
The altercation was reported at Manyonje in Butali Ward, Malava Constituency, where Wamalwa’s convoy is said to have encountered a rival political camp.
Witnesses added that while one of the political leaders did not physically attack Wamalwa’s group, a second group, believed to be under the control of another politician, stormed the scene and escalated the confrontation.
It was further claimed that both groups departed in convoy immediately after the vehicle was burnt.
The incidents were not isolated, with DAP-K parliamentary aspirant Seth Panyako also reporting vandalism targeting his Down Hill Hotel in Kaburengu.
Speaking to the press on Thursday morning, November 27th, Panyako said the attackers destroyed at least five of his vehicles, slashed tyres, broke windows, and forcefully entered the hotel compound.
In response to the rising tension, the National Police Service urged political actors to operate within the law, while DCI officers have already begun preliminary investigations into both cases of vandalism and property destruction.
