Political leaders in Homa Bay have called for tolerance and peaceful political competition in the larger Nyanza region.
Politician Johnson Oduk has urged residents and leaders from the region to embrace democracy even as the Edwin Sifuna-led Linda Mwananchi movement prepares to take its mobilisation campaign to Homabay county next weekend.
The movement is expected in Homa Bay on August 16 as it continues expanding its grassroots presence across the country ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Speaking on the planned visit, Oduk dismissed calls by a section of ODM leaders that the larger Nyanza region should remain an exclusive political preserve of the Orange Democratic Movement.
Oduk said no political party or leader should be prevented from traversing Nyanza, arguing that voters should be allowed to listen to different political messages before making their choices at the ballot.
“Nyanza belongs to its people, not to one political party. Every leader and every political formation has a constitutional right to come here, speak to the people and sell their agenda. The people are mature enough to listen and make their own decisions.”
His remarks come amid growing political activity in the region and renewed efforts by ODM to strengthen its traditional grassroots base ahead of the 2027 elections.
ODM Party Leader Oburu Odinga has previously insisted that the party remains dominant in Nyanza and other areas where it has traditionally enjoyed strong support.
In April, Oburu said ODM was not prepared to cede positions it already holds, while at the same time acknowledging that the party would have to compete with other political formations.
Suna East MP Junet Mohammed has also maintained that ODM strongholds must be zoned out of political competing in the 2027 elections.
But Oduk argues that such political confidence should not translate into attempts to shut out rival formations from the region.
He said the arrival of Linda Mwananchi should instead be viewed as part of the democratic process, particularly at a time when political realignments are taking shape across the country.
“If ODM believes it has the support of the people, then it should welcome competition. You cannot claim to believe in democracy and at the same time tell other political parties that they cannot come to Nyanza. Let everyone come and let the people decide.”
The Linda Mwananchi campaign has been gaining visibility nationally, with Sifuna and his allies positioning the movement as part of broader efforts to reorganise the opposition ahead of 2027.
The movement has already held mobilisation activities in several parts of the country and has increasingly become a factor in discussions on opposition unity and the search for a possible presidential ticket.
The Homa Bay tour comes against the backdrop of tensions surrounding Sifuna’s position within ODM.
The Linda Mwananchi faction has vowed to remain engaged in the struggle over the future of the party rather than simply walk away from ODM.
Oduk said ODM should therefore be prepared for the political consequences of pushing Sifuna and his supporters away.
“ODM should be ready to deal with the consequences of allowing Sifuna to leave. You cannot push away a popular leader and expect nothing to change. Politics is about numbers, and every decision made today will have consequences in 2027.”
He urged ODM leaders to embrace internal dialogue and allow competing political voices to operate freely rather than relying on regional political exclusivity.
His position comes as Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga separately called for political tolerance ahead of the Linda Mwananchi rally, saying every political formation has a constitutional right to campaign anywhere in the country.
“Anyone is free to tour any part of the country and campaign for their agenda. Let us not fight or shed blood because of politics. We are one family and one nation,” Wanga said.
The governor, however, maintained that ODM retains a strong support base in Homa Bay and said the party would continue strengthening its grassroots structures.
The competing mobilisation efforts are likely to make Homa Bay an important political theatre as parties and emerging movements position themselves for the 2027 contest.
Meanwhile Mr.Oduk has thrown support behind Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi and Internal Security Principal Secertary Dr.Raymond Omolo’s efforts to fastrack development programs in Homabay.
Oduk is supporting former Deputy Governor Joseph Oyugi Magwanga for the Homabay Gubernatorial seat in 2027.
