KISUMU, June 29, 2026 –Kisumu County Woman Representative Ruth Odinga has issued an urgent directive to local leaders and county security law enforcement agencies to convene an emergency meeting aimed at curbing the escalating wave of insecurity in the region.
Speaking during the first phase of the Affirmative Action Empowernment Program in Kisumu, Odinga spotlighted a series of heinous crimes that have gripped the county over the last 60 days.
Among the high-profile incidents cited were the recent killing of former Matungu MP David Were’s son, the rape and murder of a woman at Corner Mbuta in Manyatta, and the brutal killing of night guards at Lake Primary School in Kisumu Central.
”Let’s come together and talk to see where things are going wrong. We cannot allow this situation to continue, and we must address the insecurity issue now because it is getting out of hand. If there is a delay in convening this meeting, I will take action myself and chair one,” Odinga stated.
The proposed security summit aims to bring together all Members of Parliament (MPs), Members of the County Assembly (MCAs), the county security team, and local administration leaders. Odinga assured residents that she plans to officially raise the matter on the floor of the National Assembly.
The lawmaker noted that she has already engaged relevant stakeholders, including Kisumu Residents’ Association Chairman Audi Ogada, to compile a comprehensive brief. Through this legislative intervention, she intends to compel the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration, Kipchumba Murkomen, to provide a decisive roadmap for restoring order.
Odinga also strongly condemned the rising cases of sexual violence, pointing to a recent horrific incident on Saturday, June 27th. She expressed deep frustration with the justice system, decrying the frequent and opaque release of suspects from police custody.
According to the lawmaker, suspects are often released without appearing in court, only to return to the villages and taunt their victims.
Her sentiments were echoed by several local leaders, led by Market Milimani Ward MCA Seth Ochieng, popularly known as Adui Nyang, who emphasized that the current wave of crime is damaging Kisumu’s reputation and economic prospects.
The leaders collectively demanded prompt, decisive action from the county’s security apparatus to restore peace and tranquility.
The security plea was made alongside a major economic empowerment drive, where the County MP distributed Sh15 million in cheques to 40 local groups, alongside commercial equipment handed over to 33 self-help groups drawn from seven wards across Kisumu Central and Kisumu West sub-counties.
Odinga concluded by reiterating that economic empowerment cannot succeed without safety, stating that she will not watch Kisumu decline and remains committed to ensuring a safe, conducive environment for residents and business owners alike.
