Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma found himself at the centre of a brewing storm following unverified allegations of a love affair with the widow of the late Kasipul MP Charles Ong’ondo Were.
The claims, which surfaced on social media platforms and were amplified by a Kenyan Post article, allege that Kaluma was spotted with Were’s second wife at a Kilimani hotel shortly after the MP’s assassination on April 30, 2025. The scandal has sparked heated debate, with Kenyans questioning the moral conduct of the outspoken ODM legislator.
Days after Were’s tragic death along Ngong Road, when a hooded assailant on a motorcycle gunned him down, rumours emerged. Kaluma, who led the committee organising Were’s burial, had been vocal about the loss, describing the chilling moment when he saw Were’s body riddled with gunshot wounds at Nairobi Hospital.
He called the killing a professional hit, suggesting the assassin had government training. The timing of the affair allegations, barely days after this emotional outpouring, has sparked scepticism about their validity.
No concrete evidence supports the claims, which originated from anonymous sources and lack specifics like the hotel’s name or dates. Kaluma, a polarising figure known for controversial social media posts, has not addressed the allegations publicly.
He was a second-term ODM MP who left behind two wives and six children. His first wife, Margaret, expressed fears for her safety post-assassination, claiming she had escaped an attack while heading to work.
The second wife, unnamed in reports, is the subject of the alleged affair, though no family members have commented. The scandal has overshadowed the ongoing Kasipul by-election, where Were’s son, Boyd, is vying for the ODM ticket, a move Kaluma initially endorsed.
The allegations have stirred tensions in Homa Bay, where Kaluma’s push for Were’s son clashed with Deputy Governor Oyugi Magwanga’s call for open nominations.
Some speculate that the rumours aim to discredit Kaluma amid this political rift. Others label the gossip as “cheap politics,” while others see it as part of a pattern targeting ODM figures.
Given Kenya’s history of sensationalised political scandals, such as the 2018 Emenike divorce rumour, the lack of verifiable details suggests caution is necessary.
The ongoing investigations into Were’s murder could potentially distract from justice efforts by focussing on Kaluma’s personal life, as they have resulted in the detention of five suspects. The DCI has recovered a vehicle and motorcycles linked to the assassination, but the motive remains unclear.