The ODM party led by Oburu Oginga on Sunday brought Kisumu to a near standstill as it formally endorsed President William Ruto’s 2027 re-election bid.
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ODM national chairperson Gladys Wanga set the tone of the meeting, saying the party’s interest lies in supporting Ruto’s second term.
Wanga described the rally as a defining moment for the party as she rallied the mammoth crowd to support the cooperation framework between ODM and the ruling UDA party.
She dismissed efforts by a rebel section of the party to team up with the united opposition, insisting that such a political arrangement was not an option for ODM.
“We have converged here to talk about our unity and to tell the whole world that we are firmly in ODM and in the broad-based government,” Wanga said.
“In this country, there are two buses — the united opposition without a driver or conductor, and which is already full without ODM onboard. This leaves us with the broad-based government, where we know who the driver is.”
Oburu said ODM would soon negotiate a watertight agreement with Ruto’s administration ahead of the 2027 elections.
He also ruled out any possibility of joining the opposition.
“I can’t lead my people to Gachagua (DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua). We are going to negotiate with UDA, which are our partners,” Oburu said.
Kisumu Governor Prof Anyang’ Nyong’o singled out the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) extension to western Kenya as justification for supporting Ruto’s re-election bid.
“We have been discussing whether or not to support Ruto’s government. That is not the issue. The issue is whether the government is doing the right things for our people and the SGR project is key to this region,” Nyong’o said.
“We can’t get such projects without dialogue.”
The Orange party also used the massive Kirembe rally to demonstrate its dominance in the Luo Nyanza political landscape.
Speaking at Kirembe Grounds, the Homa Bay Governor said the rally confirmed the party’s continued influence in its traditional stronghold.
The rally came just weeks after a rival ODM faction associated with Edwin Sifuna and James Orengo held a mammoth gathering in the lakeside city, underscoring the growing contest for influence within the party.
Observers believe the competing camps are seeking to prove their popularity and organisational strength as succession and party direction debates continue to shape the region’s political discourse.
Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi told the mammoth crowd that the community could not afford another political experiment in the next election.
Wandayi said the community’s interests were best served under Ruto’s administration.
“Our unity is our strength as a community. We cannot experiment with our political future. We must stick with President Ruto,” Wandayi said.
Treasury CS John Mbadi, while backing Ruto’s re-election, said the community must prepare to take over leadership in 2032.
“In 2032, someone from our community must be ready to take over, and I am ready,” Mbadi said.
ODM Deputy Party leader Simba Arati concurred with Mbadi, saying the presidency should shift to western Kenya after 2027.
“Kalenjin and Kikuyu communities have ruled this country since independence. Ruto will serve his last term after 2027, and then someone from Nyanza and Western Kenya should take over,” Arati said.
Thousands of ODM supporters thronged Kirembe Grounds on Sunday, turning the venue into a sea of party colours in what was billed as the ‘mother of all rallies’.
Supporters of the Oburu-led camp converged in large numbers from various parts of the region, with hundreds of vehicles and motorcycles taking part in a colourful procession through Kisumu’s major streets before proceeding to Kirembe Grounds for the main event.
Early on Sunday morning, streams of supporters from Kisumu, Siaya, Homa Bay, Migori and neighbouring counties poured into the grounds waving flags, blowing vuvuzelas and chanting party slogans.
Supporters from different regions assembled at designated points before proceeding to Kirembe Grounds.
Those coming from across River Nyando and neighbouring areas gathered at Katito. Supporters from Kisumu City and surrounding areas assembled at Kondele, while those travelling from Siaya county and western parts of the region met at Ojolla before converging at the main venue.
The procession caused heavy traffic disruption in parts of the city.
Political leaders who attended the rally included Governors Ochilo Ayacko (Migori), Fernandez Barasa (Kakamega) and several ODM-elected MPs.
Conspicuously absent from the much-hyped rally were National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohammed and area Woman Representative Ruth Odinga.
The Suna East MP was also absent during the special retreat in Mombasa last month.
Speakers at the gathering described the event as evidence that the faction retains firm control of ODM’s traditional support base and remains the dominant political force in the region.
They urged party members to remain united ahead of key political decisions expected in the coming months.
Area MP Rosa Buyu (Kisumu West) said the region would remain politically united and resist any attempts to divide it.
“We will remain united as a community, just the way Raila held us together,” Buyu said.
