Senator Anyang’ Nyong'o accuses Kisumu Governor of playing dirty politics

Kisumu Senator Anyang’ Nyong’o has accused Governor Jack Ranguma of using his financial muscle to push him out of the gubernatorial race.

Prof Nyong’o claims that his interest in the seat has sent panic in Mr Ranguma’s political cycles, who have resorted to hooliganism and splashing money to protect his legacy.

On Friday, the senator was attacked by goons at Muhoroni where he had gone to meet sugarcane farmers to discuss privatisation of millers. Although he escaped unhurt, the marauding youths disrupted the event.

The Senator has accused Ranguma of allegedly paying the goons Sh300,000 to disrupt the event.

He further claimed the governor used former Assembly Majority Leader Samwel Ong’ow to plan the chaos in a bid to prevent him from addressing the public in his quest for the gubernatorial seat in 2017 elections.

“The goons told my supporters that they had been sent by the governor to disrupt the otherwise peaceful engagement with farmers. It is now clear that Kisumu dialed a wrong number and Ranguma has to be replaced,” said Nyong’o.

He added; “The governor has a lot of money which he intends to use to get re-elected, but I want to tell him that we will not allow him to run Kisumu politics with bribery.” The senator vowed to use all political means to counter Ranguma’s tactics.

In his response through the Director of Communication, the governor said he is a God-fearing man who loves peace and loathes hooliganism. He noted that the county was enjoying political tranquility because of his efforts to ensure residents shun violence to attract investments.

“As we condemn in the strongest terms possible the violence meted on Nyong'o and urge our youths to desist from such acts, it is very unfortunate for the senator to link me with such activities. For record, Muhoroni MP Onyango Koyoo and I were in Kabar village to lay the foundation stone for reconstruction of five classrooms recently destroyed by wind at Nyakoko Primary School in Muhoroni sub county by the time the alleged chaos took place,” said Ranguma.

The governor said he later went to Seme sub-county to commission the construction of a model Kombewa market, and challenged Nyong’o to provide evidence linking him to the chaos.

The duo have not been reading from the same political script after Nyong’o accused Ranguma of poor governance, corruption and nepotism. The governor has accused the senator of using his position to frustrate devolution and failure to push for development funds for the county.