Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga speaking during the Raila Odinga Memorial Tournament, the Imwatok Super Cup, in Teso South, Busia County on October 11, 2026 / HANDOUT
ODM National Chairperson and Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga has expressed confidence that the party will retain all its elective seats in Busia County, reaffirming its political strength as it continues to mobilise supporters during the Mwezi Wa Baba commemorations.
Speaking on Sunday during the Raila Odinga Memorial Tournament, the Imwatok Super Cup, in Teso South, Wanga, dismissed claims that ODM had weakened following the death of its former leader, former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga.
She urged residents to remain united and continue supporting the Orange Democratic Movement, saying the party remained firmly established in the county.
“Raila loved the Teso community and Busia in general. Across the country, there is no county that is deep into the ODM party like Busia. I come from Home Bay, but Busia is number one, Home Bay comes second in matters ODM. I have come to ask you to continue supporting his party. Some people were saying that after Baba left us, ODM is buried with him. But we want to assure you that ODM is firm and that ODM will retain all its seat in Busia County,” Wanga said.
“Raila also left us in Broad-Based; we are firmly there because President William Ruto has decided that development will not happen in only one region but all the areas across the country. We assure the opposition that we shall defeat you as early as 8 am when ODM comes together with Kenya Kwanza.”
ODM leaders and supporters during the Raila Odinga Memorial Tournament, the Imwatok Super Cup, in Teso South, Busia County on October 11, 2026 / HANDOUTWanga also commended Nairobi County Assembly Majority Leader Peter Imwatok for organising the tournament in honour of Raila, noting that the sporting event provided an opportunity to engage young people while preserving the former Prime Minister’s legacy.
She expressed confidence that ODM would retain all its elective seats in Busia County as the party continues to strengthen its grassroots support.
Wanga further defended ODM’s participation in the broad-based government under President William Ruto, saying the partnership was intended to promote equitable development across the country.
The party’s participation in the arrangement remains part of its national political engagement as leaders continue to mobilise supporters and discuss its future direction.
Wanga led a delegation of ODM leaders to Busia County as the party continued its month-long activities in honour of Raila, who died in October 2025.
The delegation was hosted by Busia Governor Paul Otuoma and included Cooperatives Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya, National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed, Migori Woman Representative Fatuma Mohamed, Nairobi County Assembly Majority Leader Peter Imwatok and former Busia Governor Sospeter Ojaamong, among other party officials.
The leaders toured Funyula and Teso South constituencies as part of activities organised under the Mwezi Wa Baba programme.
The programme marks the first anniversary of Raila’s death and celebrates his contribution to Kenya’s democracy and Pan-Africanism.
ODM designated October 2026 as a month of remembrance, with activities planned across several regions to honour Raila’s political legacy and bring together party members, supporters and communities.
The commemorations began with a nationwide candle-lighting ceremony on October 2, followed by a memorial rally in Kakamega on October 9.
Further activities have been scheduled in northern Kenya, the Coast region, Kajiado and Turkana, before the programme concludes with a rally in Nairobi on October 31.
In Busia, the Imwatok Super Cup brought together political leaders and residents to honour Raila through sport, while the ODM delegation used the occasion to engage supporters on the party’s unity, political strength and continued presence in the county.
