BUDALANGI, Kenya – Principal Secretary Susan Auma Mang’eni has accused Kenya’s High Commissioner to Uganda Ababu Namwamba of sponsoring youths who disrupted a UDA delegate sensitisation meeting and office opening in Budalangi, Busia County.
Mang’eni made the allegations after a group of rowdy youths reportedly stormed the event on August 31, 2026, tearing down tents and disrupting proceedings.
The PS said she was forced to leave the venue under police protection after the incident, which has added to growing political tensions in Budalangi ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Mang’eni subsequently took to X to accuse Namwamba of attempting to undermine the meeting because of his political differences with President William Ruto.
Mang’eni attacks Namwamba
In a strongly worded post, Mang’eni claimed the people of Budalangi would not allow political disagreements to prevent them from pursuing development.
“An idea whose time has come cannot be stopped. Ababu Namwamba, Budalangi people will never remain in perpetual poverty because of your selfishness,” Mang’eni said.
She further accused Namwamba of opposing Ruto’s re-election bid and alleged that his political activities were motivated by personal interests.
“You are against President Ruto’s re-election bid because you are hurting, and your mission is to blackmail him,” she claimed.
Mang’eni also accused the former Budalangi MP of failing to invest in the political party that helped build his political career.
The allegations have not been independently established, and Namwamba had not, in the material provided, publicly responded to the accusations.
UDA meeting disrupted
The confrontation occurred during a UDA delegate sensitisation meeting and the opening of a party office in Budalangi.
According to Mang’eni, the youths attempted to disrupt the event by tearing down tents and causing chaos at the venue.
She said supporters at the meeting managed to withstand the disruption and that the programme eventually continued.
“The first investment we saw you make today was trying to disrupt the UDA delegate BETA sensitisation meeting,” she said in her post.
Mang’eni claimed the group was unable to stop the meeting and that party supporters proceeded to open the office.
“They opened their office and are firmly behind President William Ruto,” she added.
The incident reportedly prompted police officers to intervene and escort Mang’eni from the venue.
Political tensions in Budalangi
The incident highlights growing political competition in Budalangi as parties and political leaders position themselves ahead of the 2027 elections.
Namwamba, a former Budalangi MP, remains an influential political figure in the area and currently serves as Kenya’s High Commissioner to Uganda.
His political position has attracted increased attention as the country’s political formations realign ahead of the next presidential contest.
Mang’eni, meanwhile, has emerged as a vocal supporter of President Ruto and the administration’s political agenda.
Her latest remarks suggest that political disagreements within the region are increasingly spilling into grassroots party mobilisation.
Mang’eni says Budalangi rejects ‘blackmail’
Mang’eni went further in her post, accusing Namwamba of attempting to use his political influence to pressure residents of Budalangi.
“You thought you would mortgage them, but nah!! You are such a loser!” she wrote.
She also blamed Namwamba for what she described as persistent poverty in Budalangi during his decade in elective politics.
“No wonder you presided over poverty in Budalangi for 10 years and they ejected you!” she said.
Mang’eni maintained that residents had rejected what she characterised as political blackmail and were prepared to support the UDA campaign.
“The people of Budalangi have said NO to your blackmail!” she said.
She concluded by promising that pro-Ruto political mobilisation would continue in the constituency.
