24/01/2026
Via James Mabele Magio, Budalang’i MP aspirant
I have seen a video circulating online showing a gentleman being pushed by other men. Many people have tagged me in the video, and I would like to clearly state that I was not part of the incident that occurred at a building known as White House at around 4:00 PM on 23rd January 2026.
The incident involved Mr. Nicholas Wandera Bwire and other individuals as seen in the video.
I know Nicholas personally. He is the boda boda chairman at one of the boda shades in Bunyala North, and he is someone well known to us as a family. I strongly identify with the boda boda community in Budalangi, having consistently championed their welfare. I have personally supported the construction of several boda boda shades in our community and continue to do so. I have also supported boda boda SACCOs, the latest being Bwambani SACCO, to which I contributed KShs 200,000 so members can access small loans during difficult times. I believe Nicholas is one of the members of this SACCO.
Regarding the incident: on 19th January 2026 at around 7:08 PM, my elder sister Wilmina mistakenly sent money via M-PESA to Nicholas Wandera Bwire, intending to send it to another person who coincidentally has the same first name, Nicholas. Shortly after, the intended recipient called her to say he had not received the money. Upon rechecking, my sister realized the funds had been sent to the wrong person.
Since our family knows Nicholas and they have each other’s contacts, my sister tried several times to reach him so that the money could be returned. Unfortunately, Nicholas did not pick her calls. When my sister contacted customer care, she was informed that the money had already been spent and could not be reversed.
On 23rd January, my sister was informed that Nicholas had been seen around White House. Someone then called Nicholas using a different number, pretending to be a client requesting transport. That is how my sister managed to locate him. Being a woman, she could not confront him alone and therefore sought help from her brothers and friends.
The intention at that point was simple: either the money be returned, or Nicholas be es**rted to the nearest police station. Conversations at the scene, which can be heard in the video, clearly show people discussing the dangers of disappearing with wrongly sent M-PESA funds.
Nicholas appeared reluctant and undecided about returning the money. As my sister and those accompanying her attempted to es**rt him to the police station, force was regrettably used. This incident has since been portrayed as an abduction, which I want to clarify was not the case. Everyone involved is from within our community, and Nicholas personally knows them. If this were an abduction, my vehicle would not have been used, nor would my wife who was in the car with our infant have been visibly present in broad daylight, as clearly seen in the video.
That said, I fully admit that the manner in which Nicholas was handled was wrong, even if he was in the wrong initially. It should not have happened that way.
As they moved toward the road, Nicholas pleaded not to be taken to the police station, explaining that his wife had just delivered a baby. He instead offered to direct them to a place where he could refund the money. This was agreed upon. Within 10 minutes, Nicholas returned the full amount to my sister, using the same number to which the money had originally been sent.
Afterwards, Nicholas was to be taken back to where he was picked up, but he declined, stating he was close to his home and would call a fellow boda rider to pick him up. He identified the rider as Danny, whom he called, and I later also spoke to him to confirm.
To the family of Mr. Nicholas Wandera Bwire, I sincerely apologize for how Nicholas was mishandled. I apologize on behalf of my sister and our family. We are willing to sit down, resolve this matter peacefully, and move forward as one community that knows and respects one another. I ask that you find it in your hearts to forgive us.
Finally, I am concerned by attempts to politicize this incident and use Nicholas as a tool for political mileage by my opponent. I urge Nicholas not to allow himself to be used in this way. Politics will come and go, but we, the people of Bunyala, will remain.
Let us choose dialogue, unity, and truth over misinformation and division.
