Chaos rocked Homa Bay on Sunday as the Edwin Sifuna-led Linda Mwananchi movement stormed the county to sell their 2027 bid.
The tour was marked by heightened political tension and attempts to disrupt the meetings, which started from Nyandiwa, Suba South constituency.
The foray, which brought together Nairobi Senator Sifuna, Siaya Governor James Orengo, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino and other opposition leaders, was characterised by road blockades and burning tyres.
Large stones were placed on a number of roads leading into and out of Homa Bay early in the morning, while tyres were set ablaze at Oyugis junction.
“I appreciate the locals for taking upon themselves to open the roads and welcome us. It is a statement that democracy must be entrenched in this country,” Suba South MP Caroli Omondi said.
He alleged that the team was under pressure to abandon the campaign, adding they will proceed with their quest.
“We have come to learn that citizens are cleverer than the leaders. We urge the people of Homa Bay to support us. We are sure of winning this race,” the MP said, exuding confidence Ruto will lose the election.
The Linda Mwananchi team dismissed Ruto’s forays in the region saying that the senior government positions of Treasury and PS Interior will be retained in the region when they form government.
Sifuna, in one of the stops said, “We woke up to closed roads but we appreciate the people for removing the barricades.”
The Nairobi Senator said they will stick together as a team despite attempts to divide them, dismissing assertions that Ruto had any support in Nyanza region.
“I know we all remember what Baba used to teach us. It is unfortunate some people are telling us to abandon the fight for a bigger democratic space,” he said.
Sifuna said his problems with ODM started when he called out the authorities over extrajudicial killings, saying he was ready to lead the country.
“I urge those who believe in Raila’s ideals to work with us on this journey. Do you think I cannot build stadiums or roads?” he asked.
Siaya Senator James Orengo said, “Ruto has abused the Kenyan constitution. Out of the Gen Zs who died in 2024, 80 per cent were from the Luo region, we cannot give him another term.”
Embakasi East MP Babu Owino said they will not tire in pushing the Linda Mwananchi agenda, holding that they have what it takes to form the next government.
He said the Ruto administration was yet to give Nyanza any tangible benefit for their association with the regime, making reference to Ol Kalou where locals got pricey goodies ahead of last month’s by-election.
The incidents played out despite assurances by the government that the meeting would be protected.
Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo had warned those planning to disrupt the gathering that they would face the law.
Homa Bay County Commissioner Ronald Mwiwawi said adequate security had been deployed and warned politicians against mobilising youths as private security.
He said police had intercepted a vehicle carrying three people allegedly found with two pangas and two kitchen knives.
The confrontation added to a tense build-up that had seen Linda Mwananchi leaders accuse local political rivals of plotting to frustrate their entry into Homa Bay.
Babu had accused local leaders allegedly plotting to disrupt the rally. “We have been accosted by goons in every corner.”
Orengo had similarly alleged that there were plans to sabotage the meeting but insisted that the rally would proceed.
The confrontations has exposed the increasingly bitter battle for control of Nyanza politics ahead of the general election.
Homa Bay is regarded as a critical ODM stronghold, making the rally an important test for Sifuna and his allies as they seek to establish Linda Mwananchi as a national political force.
For Sifuna, the Homa Bay meeting was also an opportunity to demonstrate that his movement can penetrate areas regarded as firmly controlled by ODM.
The faction associated with party leader Oburu Oginga and officials supporting cooperation with President Ruto's administration have laid claim to the base.
Separately, DP party leader Justin Muturi condemned the use of goons to disrupt and attack the Linda Mwananchi campaign team.
Muturi said every Kenyan has the right to move freely across the country, engage with fellow citizens and campaign peacefully, regardless of political affiliation.
He warned that no part of Kenya should be turned into a no-go zone for any political group
Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma has been among Sifuna's most vocal critics.
Earlier, the lawmaker described Sifuna as politically weak without ODM, arguing that the Nairobi senator's influence was largely derived from the party structures.
He dismissed the forays in Nyanza, saying the team should be reminded that the region supports Ruto owing to his development successes in the once marginalised town.
Recently, Kaluma accused Sifuna, Babu and Orengo of abandoning ODM and misreading the country's political direction.
But Sifuna has maintained that Linda Mwananchi is intended to give ordinary Kenyans a platform to demand accountability.
The senator has repeatedly vowed that attempts to disrupt the movement will not stop its countrywide mobilisation, maintaining that the movement will continue traversing the country despite intimidation.
Orengo has similarly insisted that the group remains united.
“Linda Mwananchi will never be divided. We want to put to shame those who say otherwise. We are walking together and shall never be divided.”
