Wanga fires back as Linda Mwananchi targets Homa Bay

HOMA BAY — The political battle inside the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) is moving closer to the grassroots, with Governor Gladys Wanga taking the fight to Suba South ahead of a planned Linda Mwananchi rally.

Wanga, who is also ODM’s national chairperson, spent Wednesday mobilising residents in the constituency represented by MP Caroli Omondi, one of the leading figures behind the Linda Mwananchi movement.

Her message was direct: residents should not allow the rally to turn into a referendum on ODM or President William Ruto’s government.

The intervention comes days before Linda Mwananchi leaders are expected in Homa Bay on Sunday. The movement, which includes Omondi, Siaya Governor James Orengo and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, has emerged as one of the most vocal groups opposing ODM’s cooperation with the Kenya Kwanza administration.

Wanga takes campaign to Omondi’s backyard

Wanga’s decision to campaign in Suba South gives the weekend rally an added political edge.

Omondi has been mobilising residents ahead of the visit and has previously called for President Ruto to serve only one term. Wanga, however, accused the MP of abandoning ODM’s position after winning his seat on the party ticket.

Speaking at Nyakiamo Stadium in Sindo, she said the political differences had come at a cost to the constituency.

“Never listen to Omondi and the Linda Mwananchi team because they don’t have an agenda,” Wanga told residents.

She argued that the government’s development projects in the region should not be separated from the political debate over the ODM-UDA working relationship.

Wanga also defended President Ruto’s record in Nyanza, saying the region had benefited from increased government investment since he came to power.

She urged residents to support the President’s re-election bid in 2027.

“President Ruto has demonstrated good leadership and willingness to develop the country equally. He deserves to be re-elected for a second term,” she said.

Omondi's break with ODM

Omondi has signalled that he intends to leave ODM ahead of the 2027 elections, placing him firmly on the opposite side of the party leadership’s position on cooperation with the government.

Wanga said she had previously attempted to engage the MP on development issues affecting Suba South, which she described as one of the more marginalised parts of Nyanza.

She said the formation of the broad-based government had created an opportunity for Homa Bay leaders to work together, particularly after ODM agreed to cooperate with the Ruto administration.

“ODM had agreed to work with the government following the formation of the broad-based government,” Wanga said.

The governor also defended the decision by ODM leaders to work with the administration, saying the arrangement had helped attract development projects to the region.

Linda Mwananchi says it will not back down

The accusations come as Linda Mwananchi prepares to hold its Homa Bay rally despite concerns over security.

On Wednesday, Orengo and other leaders alleged that there were attempts to disrupt the event. Omondi's camp has also called for adequate security, with the movement claiming that supporters and leaders could face attempts to block their access to Homa Bay. These remain allegations, and there has been no independent confirmation that a disruption plot exists.

Wanga, for her part, has dismissed fears of violence surrounding the rally.

That leaves Sunday's event as an important test of the competing political narratives now taking shape in Homa Bay.

Linda Mwananchi has positioned itself as a platform for ODM members and opposition figures who reject the party's cooperation with Ruto's administration. Its leading figures have been touring different parts of the country as they build support ahead of the 2027 election.

The rival camps are therefore no longer simply arguing over party policy in Nairobi. They are increasingly taking their fight to constituencies where voters will ultimately decide who retains political influence.

A bigger ODM battle

The confrontation in Suba South reflects a wider struggle over ODM's direction after the death of its longtime leader, Raila Odinga.

One camp, associated with party chairman Oburu Oginga and Wanga, has defended cooperation with the Ruto administration. The other, represented prominently by Linda Mwananchi leaders, has opposed the arrangement and pushed for a stronger political break with the government.

That divide is now playing out ahead of the 2027 election, when several politicians on both sides will be seeking to defend or expand their political bases.

For Wanga, the message in Suba South was that development and government cooperation should remain central to the conversation.

For Omondi and Linda Mwananchi, the Homa Bay rally offers an opportunity to demonstrate that there is still significant support for an alternative direction.

The real contest on Sunday may therefore be bigger than one political rally. It will be a test of who can command the loyalty of ODM supporters on the party's home turf.

About the Author

Maureen Onyango is a journalist passionate about storytelling, life coaching and spiritual lessons. She studied at the Kenya Institute of Management and enjoys telling stories that inform, inspire and empower communities.