The Linda Mwananchi Movement on Thursday stepped up its campaigns to penetrate Raila Odinga's traditional political strongholds, pitching camp in Busia as it seeks to inherit the former ODM leader’s once-solid support base.
The movement held rallies in Butula and Nambale constituencies as part of a sustained grassroots mobilisation that will next head to Kakamega before culminating in a major rally in Homa Bay on August 16.
The itinerary is significant because the three counties have for years formed the backbone of Raila's political support.
They have consistently voted overwhelmingly for the former Prime Minister, while electing ODM leaders in successive elections.
In the 2022 general election, Raila beat President William Ruto by more than 177,000 votes in Busia, while Kakamega handed him more than half a million votes.
Homa Bay, regarded as the epicentre of his political base, handed him 399,800 votes (98.92 per cent), compared to Ruto's 3,490 votes, making it one of Raila's most emphatic victories in the country.
The latest tour comes as leaders associated with Linda Mwananchi intensify efforts to convince supporters they now represent Kenya's opposition following mainstream ODM's decision to work with Ruto under the broad-based government.
The push into Western and Nyanza follows months of strategically planned mobilisation in regions that have historically been synonymous with Raila's politics.
Led by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and Siaya Governor James Orengo, the movement has held meetings in Nairobi, Mombasa, Vihiga, Kisumu, Kisii, Busia and Kakamega counties.
While some of the counties lie outside Raila's traditional bastions, the majority have long been regarded as key pillars of his political support and have consistently voted for ODM.
Addressing supporters in Bumula, Sifuna thanked Busia residents for embracing the movement, saying the county occupies a special place in its history.
"I want to thank the people of Busia because it is here that this movement started. I came here as Secretary-General and I am now returning as His Excellency," Sifuna said, in remarks seen as signalling his growing presidential ambitions.
Former ODM deputy party leader and Vihiga Senator Geoffrey Osotsi declared that political tides had shifted in the region, claiming Western was now firmly behind Sifuna.
He described Vihiga as a "Wantam" zone, a slogan associated with leaders seeking to deny Ruto a second term.
The rallies also turned into an attack on ODM leaders aligned with the broad-based government.
Busia county assembly speaker Wafula Odilo accused Governor Paul Otuoma of mismanaging the county and urged residents to back Linda Mwananchi candidates in the next general election.
"In 2027, we are saying we are behind Sifuna, but we must also have elected leaders from our party. We want the governor, the senator, MPs and MCAs," Odilo said, signalling the movement's intention to wrest political control of the county from ODM.
Bumula MP Jack Wamboka was even more direct, declaring that ODM had lost its footing in Western after removing Sifuna as the party's secretary general.
"The people of Busia stood with Sifuna as he built ODM into what it is today, and now they have chased him out of office. We are telling you here in Busia, Bungoma, Kakamega, Vihiga and Trans Nzoia that ODM is dead," Wamboka said.
He insisted that the region had settled on a 2027 presidential contest between Sifuna and Ruto.
The Busia, Kakamega and Homa Bay rallies signal the movement is deliberately targeting regions that have traditionally delivered Raila's biggest vote margins.
The strategy comes as different opposition leaders consolidate influence in their respective political backyards ahead of the anticipated unveiling of a grand coalition to challenge Ruto in 2027.
Former Interior CS Fred Matiang'i has intensified political engagements in Kisii and Migori, counties viewed as crucial to the opposition's electoral arithmetic.
On Thursday, DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua congratulated Matiang'i for his rallies in Migori and publicly urged him to consolidate the two counties, saying they would be critical in delivering votes to a united opposition.
Gachagua has continued to strengthen his grip on the Mt Kenya region, while Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka remains influential in Ukambani.
DAP-K leader Eugene Wamalwa and Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya have stepped up mobilisation across parts of Western.
The regional campaigns point to the opposition mobilising from different camps before finally settling on a grand united opposition.
And as negotiations for a united front gather momentum, the developments present a fresh challenge for Ruto, who has since lost the Mt Kenya support base, which was instrumental in his 2022 presidential win.
In what has been interpreted as an attempt to replace the lost support in Mt Kenya, the Kenya Kwanza administration has invested heavily in strengthening its presence in Nyanza and Western through Cabinet appointments, development projects and joint engagements with ODM leaders.
