Principal Secretary for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Development Susan Mang’eni has accused Kenya’s Ambassador to Uganda, Ababu Namwamba, of being behind disruptions that forced an early interruption of a United Democratic Alliance (UDA) sensitisation programme in Budalangi, Busia County. Mang’eni made the allegations on Monday, August 31, after a group of youths reportedly stormed the venue where organisers were preparing for the meeting. According to media reports, the youths disrupted preparations by preventing organisers from setting up tents and a sound system. Police later used tear gas to disperse the group after the situation became disorderly. Mang’eni was reportedly escorted to her vehicle by her security team as stones were being thrown.
The PS alleged that Namwamba had sponsored or deployed the youths to interfere with the programme, an accusation that has not been independently established. Mang’eni said the disruption was not only directed at her personally but also undermined President William Ruto and the UDA party.
“I know for sure that Ababu Namwamba is not for the President because if he was, he would not be scattering a meeting that is meant to amplify what the President is doing on the ground. He cannot be sponsoring goons,” she said, according to the report.
She also called for the police to arrest those responsible for the disruption, maintaining that organisers had followed the required procedures and notified authorities before holding the event. The allegations add to political tensions in Busia, where Mang’eni and Namwamba have previously been on opposing sides of local political contests. The two have been publicly associated with competing political interests in the county, including during the 2024 UDA leadership contest in Busia.
Despite the disruption, Mang’eni maintained that she would continue campaigning for President Ruto’s administration and promoting its agenda. She said the incident would not deter her from communicating the government’s policies and programmes to residents.
“You are unable to restore dignity, but let me tell you, I will spread President William Ruto’s message even if it means me dying today, because I know that is what Namwamba wants,” she said.
Her comments came amid growing political mobilisation in western Kenya ahead of the 2027 General Election, with UDA seeking to strengthen its presence in regions where it has traditionally faced strong opposition. Mang’eni has increasingly taken part in government and political mobilisation activities in Busia and other parts of western Kenya in support of the administration’s programmes. The Budalangi incident, however, highlights the challenges facing political and government-linked mobilisation activities in areas where local political rivalries remain pronounced.
The confrontation reportedly escalated when the group prevented organisers from preparing the venue. Police officers deployed tear gas to disperse the crowd and restore order, while Mang’eni’s security detail moved her away from the scene. The available reports do not indicate that Namwamba was present at the venue when the disruption occurred. There is also no independent evidence in the reports establishing that he personally organised or financed the youths involved. Mang’eni’s accusation therefore remains an allegation requiring a response or further evidence before it can be treated as an established fact.
Namwamba, who previously served as Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Sports and the Arts, was appointed Kenya’s High Commissioner to Uganda in 2026. His political background includes representing Budalangi in Parliament and previous involvement in national and county-level politics. The dispute comes against the backdrop of continued political activity in Busia ahead of the 2027 elections, with government officials and political leaders increasingly engaging residents through public meetings and sensitisation programmes. For now, the immediate issue arising from the Budalangi incident is the allegation by Mang’eni and the reported disruption of her meeting. Any determination of who organised or sponsored the youths would require further investigation by the relevant authorities.