The Edwin Sifuna-led Linda Mwananchi team yesterday pushed ahead with a planned rally in Kisumu despite early attempts to disrupt the engagements by rival groups.
The ODM faction, associated with the Nairobi senator and Siaya Governor James Orengo, attended a church service in Nyalenda before proceeding to address a rally at KaOwuor grounds.
Accompanied by a convoy of supporters, the leaders moved through various parts of the city, attracting crowds of residents who lined the streets.
Security presence was visible across Kisumu, with patrol vehicles seen moving around to monitor the situation.
Earlier in the day, boda boda riders opposed to the meeting traversed parts of the city, reportedly intimidating residents and warning them against attending the twin events.
There was also a counter-team rallying residents to welcome the Linda Mwananchi brigade, who were making their first visit to the lakeside city since their dramatic fallout with the mainstream ODM team.
At one point, police were forced to lob teargas to avert a possible confrontation between rival groups at Kachok and Ring Road Nyalenda.
The show of force heightened anxiety, with businesses in some areas briefly slowing down as the situation unfolded.
Despite the tension, the team, which also included Embakasi East MP Babu Owino and former ODM deputy party leader Godfrey Osotsi, snaked their way to Triumphant Christian Church in Kisumu.
They were mobbed by hundreds of supporters as they made their way from Ciala Resort through Kisumu’s central business district and into Nyalenda, where they attended a church service.
Addressing residents at Kondele, Sifuna said his team would not betray the people of Kenya and would do everything to ensure the country gets new leadership in the next election.
“The people of Kisumu are democrats. I want to thank you, the people of Kisumu, for supporting me as your secretary general. I want to assure you that we will not betray you,” Sifuna said.
Speaking at Triumphant Christian Church, he accused their opponents of attempting to suppress dissenting voices and vowed to continue engaging the public across the region.
“We have come in peace. Goons being stationed in Kachok, please go home because we are a legion. We don’t want to kill our brothers and sisters,” Babu said during the church service.
The Embakasi East lawmaker alleged that youths opposed to their meeting were given between Sh200 and Sh1,000 to ensure they did not attend the Kisumu events.
“Is Sh1,000 or Sh200 enough to take someone’s life? We want economic empowerment,” he said.
Babu said they had no problem with any faction and all they sought was to be allowed to meet their supporters.
“Our intention is simply to speak to the people of Kenya. There is no need to fight our own children here. Leaders who are paying people to cause violence among our youth should stop,” he said.
Babu said the group would not be deterred, calling out those allegedly positioned to disrupt the event.
Orengo said no amount of sponsored mobilisation could stop their rally, even as he accused some elected leaders from the region of sponsoring youths to block them.
“This is the first church service I am attending after being installed as the party leader of ODM. There are some leaders who were given mobilisation money by Ruto. I want to tell them they will be forced to return the mobilisation money they took,” he said.
“We are fully aware of those orchestrating violence and the interests they serve. Abandon your schemes; this movement is an unstoppable force. The voice of the people is the voice of God.”
Sifuna hit out at rival groups trying to derail his team’s activities, declaring that cowards cannot bring change after his faction defied intimidation to attend a church service.
Speaking after the service, the senator said his team had stood firm despite threats and attempts to block them from accessing the venue, insisting that fear would not deter their push for reforms.
He accused unnamed opponents of sponsoring disruption in a bid to silence dissenting voices.
“Cowards cannot bring any transformation in this country. They have intimidated us, including the church, but we have soldiered on,” he said.
The Nairobi senator said the opposition would continue engaging supporters across the country, adding that no amount of pressure would force them to retreat from their agenda.
Osotsi, in a brief but emotional address, said it took faith for him to return to the lakeside city after surviving a goon attack weeks ago.
“I have returned here because of God. I thank God for giving me life,” he said.
Yesterday’s development came against the backdrop of a recent assault on Osotsi in the same county, raising concerns about the emerging trend of political intolerance in the country.
Elected leaders from the region kept out of the function.
The team, however, was boosted by the entry of former Rarieda MP Raphael Tuju, who has been keeping supporters guessing about his next political move after resigning from the Jubilee party last year.
Other leaders who attended the Kisumu engagements included MPs Caleb Amisi (Saboti), Clive Gisairo (Kitutu Masaba), Joshua Kimilu (Kaiti), Obadiah Barongo (Bomachoge Borabu), Wilberforce Oundo (Funyula) and Anthony Kibagendi (Kitutu Chache South). Others were former Makadara MP Reuben Ndolo, Jubilee deputy organising secretary Pauline Njoroge and politician Brian Weke.
Meanwhile, the ODM Linda Ground, headed by party leader Oburu Oginga, were in Malindi for the second leg of the youth convention.
The meeting, also attended by national chairperson Gladys Wanga and deputy party leaders Abdulswamad Nassir and Simba Arati, is aimed at capturing youths’ perspectives on the running of the 20-year-old party.
Nassir said they would not compete with their opponents on the basis of insults but on a sound agenda that can transform the lives of Kenyans.
“Instead of concentrating on your issues and your agenda, discussing other leaders has become your agenda,” Nassir said.
Addressing the youth convention, Arati said they would not relent on pushing some of the ideals Raila Odinga (deceased) fought for, dismissing claims they have been “sold out”.
“Issues Raila stood for, like land, especially in the Coast, we shall continue pushing to ensure your rights are guaranteed,” Arati said, even as President William Ruto’s side rallied in Tharaka Nithi together with his deputy, Kithure Kindiki.
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