Triumphant Entry: Anti-Ruto fury fuels ODM party battle as faction storms Kisumu

The Linda Mwananchi faction of ODM yesterday made a triumphant entry into Kisumu, reawakening the spirit of resistance and reviving memories of the late ODM leader Raila Odinga.

The rally had been clouded by threats, the mobilisation of goons and attempts to block it from taking place by supporters of the Linda Ground faction of ODM and alleged state operatives.

However, from the turn of events, President William Ruto, ODM leader Oburu Oginga and his Linda Ground allies may have to rethink their strategy of winning over the crucial backbone of ODM’s support.

The anti-Ruto slogans that had been silenced through intimidation and deception came alive as Siaya Governor James Orengo, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino and expelled ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna rallied supporters against the government and Oburu’s faction.

Charged crowds overpowered groups of goons who had attempted to block the convoy, torching two motorcycles in the process and clearing the way for the procession.

Earlier, a group of boda boda riders armed with rods, machetes and other crude weapons was seen patrolling the town while chanting Ruto re-election slogans. Their move, however, was short-lived as residents joined the motorcade of the Linda Mwananchi leaders and scattered them.

At each stop where alleged pro-government supporters had mounted barricades, the scenes quickly shifted into defection points as some dropped their weapons and joined the pro-Linda Mwananchi chants.

The meeting has set the stage for a scramble for control of Raila’s support base, as the leaders declared a political war against Oburu’s stay at the helm of ODM while also denting the president’s hopes of inheriting Raila’s base with ease.

They rallied residents to reject Oburu, party chairperson Gladys Wanga and Suna East MP Junet Mohamed, whom they accused of selling the party to Ruto and abandoning the pressing issues facing Kenyans.

Instead, the leaders backed Orengo as their new political anchor while also positioning Babu Owino as a Raila heir apparent, tasked with steering the support base towards another presidential bid in 2032.

“This is the meeting of Raila Odinga. His spirit is with us. I have announced that I am the acting party leader of ODM,” said Orengo.

They described Oburu as a project of Ruto, allegedly installed through an underground deal at State House shortly after Raila’s passing, and urged residents to reject his leadership.

“There are some of us who have sold the party. You know the ones who have sold the party…I cautioned them, but they did not listen to me. Tell them we are taking all of them home,” said Orengo.

The veteran politician claimed the spirit of the community was with them and urged residents to back their faction, insisting they were the true representation of the wishes of Kenyans.

The leaders went bare-knuckle on Oburu and Ruto, accusing them of misleading the community while simultaneously promising projects that lack concrete funding models.

Tapping into emotions, they pushed an anti-Ruto message to the support base, poking holes in the president’s development agenda and claiming he has failed to address the pressing concerns of Kenyans.

Orengo said the president had failed to implement the 10-point agenda they had signed with Raila and had reneged on the promises made to Kenyans.

He reminded supporters of the police crackdown on protesters that left scores dead in 2024 and also accused Ruto of rigging himself into power in 2022.

“I want you to know why we must take Ruto home. He made an agreement on a 10-point agenda but has not delivered even one item on that agenda,” he said.

Embattled ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna claimed that Raila had cautioned them against declaring support for Ruto’s re-election and had maintained that the party would field its own presidential candidate.

Sifuna recounted what he described as a scheme that saw Oburu rise to power after Raila’s death, saying his elevation to the party leadership was a power-driven plan allegedly conceived and executed at State House.

“They duped me into going and bringing Raila’s body, yet they were working to install Oburu as party leader. The ODM constitution says very well that there must be an election,” said Sifuna.

He praised Orengo for standing with the youthful leaders but quickly shifted to criticising Oburu, whom he claimed is determined to stifle the rise of young leaders.

Sifuna said their arrangement with UDA collapsed the day Albert Ojwang’ was killed by police officers during the height of the anti-government protests in 2025.

“The agreement in the 10-point agenda had indicated that there was to be an end to police killings and compensation to the affected families,” said Sifuna. He asked the crowd if that had been achieved and the crowd chanted back no.

Babu rallied Kisumu residents to back him, promising to make a presidential bid in 2032 after his attempt at the Nairobi governorship.

He recounted his deep connection with Kisumu and how he grew up in a life of struggle, while tying his speech to their anti-government narrative and his own sacrifices in campaigning for Raila’s presidential bid.

“I want to assure you that one day I will lead you to the presidency. I will go for governorship for one term, then in 2032 go for presidency,” said Babu.

He claimed that Ruto had failed the region, saying he had overseen the privatisation of sugar mills while failing to revive key industries in the area.

Other leaders who spoke, including Suba South MP Caroli Omondi and former ODM deputy party leader Godfrey Osotsi, urged their supporters to remain steadfast, arguing that they are the true face of Raila’s legacy.

They criticised Oburu and his faction for betraying the cause and handing over the party to Ruto while failing to articulate any clear demands or expectations tied to their deal with him.

“They have been holding meetings at the State House. They claimed they do not want the presidency, deputy presidency, shame on them,” said Osotsi.

Caroli unveiled what he described as Ruto’s scorecard, claiming it was a litany of lies and unfulfilled promises. He said ODM operatives appointed in the Cabinet were merely figureheads with no real power to drive change.

He listed the officials as Treasury CS John Mbadi, Energy CS Opiyo Wandayi, Co-operatives CS Wycliffe Oparanya and Beatrice Askul.

In a fresh boost to the faction, former CS Raphael Tuju also joined the Linda Wananchi camp, claiming the government “was almost swallowing him”.