Ruth Odinga condemns Kibuye Market violence against women

By Newsflash Reporter

Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga has called for calm, justice and stronger protection of women in leadership following last week’s unrest at Kibuye Market, where market chairperson Judith Matengo—popularly known as Nyaramba—was arrested and charged with assault and public disorder.

In a statement issued on November 19, Odinga said the violent incident, captured in several circulating videos, raised serious concerns about gender-based aggression in one of Kisumu’s most important commercial hubs.

Odinga expressed deep concern that beyond the alleged criminal conduct, the assault appeared to be “a classic case of gender violence” inflicted on a woman by another woman and aided by male accomplices. Such violence, she said, cannot be normalised under any circumstances. She emphasised that once investigations confirm the facts, punishment must be applied “as a deterrent” to prevent similar future incidents.

Zero tolerance for violence as politics heat up

With the political season approaching, Odinga warned that Kisumu must not allow violence—whether politically instigated or otherwise—to take root. She vowed to use the full extent of the law to uphold a zero-tolerance policy on violence, particularly against women, in line with national laws and international commitments Kenya has ratified. “Violence must not be tolerated in any form, regardless of its source,” she said, calling for restraint from traders, leaders and county authorities alike.

The legislator said it was especially troubling that a woman leader had been accused of orchestrating violence against fellow women. She urged women in leadership to reject patterns of aggression and instead nurture solidarity, respect and non-violence.

Women in public service, she added, carry a special responsibility to model fairness, peace and the protection of all—especially other women who are often more vulnerable to exploitation or political manipulation.

Odinga also raised concerns about the increasing politicisation of women leadership in markets, warning against the use of female leaders as instruments of violence by political actors. Market leadership, she insisted, should be rooted in service, not division, and systems must be strengthened to protect traders’ freedoms—including their constitutional right to hold political opinions without intimidation or interference.

Demand for transparent justice and protection of witnesses

The Kisumu Woman Representative urged security agencies and the judiciary to handle Matengo’s case with transparency, fairness and full respect for the rights of all involved. She called for protection of witnesses, emphasising that justice must be both done and seen to be done. Odinga said she would personally follow the case to ensure accountability and to prevent it from collapsing due to investigative or procedural failures.

She further appealed to women leaders across all sectors to recommit to non-violence and mutual accountability, noting that Kenya’s national, regional and international legal frameworks place clear responsibilities on society to prevent violence against women.

Unity, she said, must accompany justice, especially in a market that functions not only as an economic space but as a community and social network central to Kisumu’s economy.

Odinga concluded with a firm declaration: under her watch, Kisumu will not tolerate gender-based violence or any form of aggression, whether overt or covert, regardless of its source. She insisted that Kibuye Market must remain a safe space for all traders and a symbol of unity rather than conflict.