Police in Kisumu recover 300 bags of rice, 250 bags of beans, and 20 bags of uji mix meant for Chemelil residents, stashed at the home of Governor Gladys Wanga's late father.
Police in Kisumu County have arrested two people after a raid uncovered a huge consignment of government relief food stashed at a private homestead in Muhoroni sub-county, in a case that has ignited public outrage over the diversion of aid meant for struggling residents.
How the Raid Unfolded
Officers attached to Masogo Police Station moved in on Sunday, July 12, 2026, acting on a tip-off. The operation led them to the home of the late Johana Nyasuna at Ngere Kagoro sub-location in North East Kano sub-county, about 15 kilometres south of the station.
Inside the homestead, officers found the foodstuffs already offloaded and hidden inside a house. The late Johana Nyasuna is the father of Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga.
The consignment discovered at the homestead comprised:
- 300 bags of rice, each weighing 50 kilogrammes
- 250 bags of beans, each weighing 50 kilogrammes
- 20 bags of uji mix, each weighing 25 kilogrammes
Police stated that the foodstuffs had already been offloaded and stored in the house by the time officers arrived.
Where the Food Was Supposed to Go
According to police, the relief supplies had been earmarked for the deputy county commissioner's office in Muhoroni sub-county, meant for distribution to residents within the Chemelil area, many of whom are grappling with tough economic conditions.
At the scene, detectives also recovered a Mercedes-Benz transit goods trailer, registration number KCG 240F, which had been used to ferry the consignment to the homestead. The trailer is registered to Pontypridd Holdings.
Its driver, identified as Charles Gichoki, was arrested at the scene together with the storekeeper found at the homestead. Both men are currently in custody, assisting detectives from the DCI in Muhoroni with investigations.
The matter has been officially classified as a case under investigation, and police say a progress report will follow as inquiries continue. The incident was recorded under OB Number 06/12/07/2026, with the case file handed over to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations in Muhoroni for further action.
News of the recovery has sparked widespread condemnation on social media, with Kenyans expressing anger over the diversion of relief food from vulnerable Chemelil residents to a private homestead at a time of biting economic hardship.