This archive report was first published on 15 November 2019.
On November 14, 2019, a violent confrontation erupted in Homa Bay as rival groups fought over the body of late MCA Esther Dualo. The incident occurred when a group led by Homa Bay MCAs attempted to transport the body from a Kisumu morgue to the Assembly Grounds in Homa Bay town before proceeding to her rural home.
However, a rival group allegedly led by County Woman Rep Gladys Wanga blocked the road and forcibly took the body, prompting the MCAs' supporters to abandon the body. The confrontation led to several youths allied to the MCAs and those who objected ferrying the body to the county assembly nursing injuries.
Acting Speaker Evans Marieba, Majority Leader Walter Muok, and Kochia MCA Michael Nyangi condemned the violence, stating that they had to halt the plans of taking the body to the county assembly to avoid bloodshed. Marieba said, 'We decided to let them have the body to avoid bloodshed. We always need peace in this county.'
Wanga denied any involvement in the incident, stating that she had no interest in either taking the body to the county assembly first or taking it home directly. 'I have nothing to do with the body. I am mourning my friend and those people are not saying the truth,' she said.
Esther Dualo died on October 31 while receiving treatment at Aga Khan Hospital in Kisumu. She will be buried on Friday, November 15, 2019, at her Kochia home.
