Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga has camped in Suba South Constituency to counter an imminent political rally organised by the Linda Mwananchi movement according to The Star. Wanga, who serves as the national chairperson of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), addressed residents at Nyakiamo Stadium in Sindo, urging them to ignore visiting politicians associated with the grouping.
Gladys Wanga Campaigns in Suba South to Counter Linda Mwananchi Rally
The Suba South visit targeted the home turf of MP Caroli Omondi, who has been preparing to welcome the Linda Mwananchi team to Homa Bay County. Pro-broad-based government politicians plan to hold similar rallies across all eight constituencies in Homa Bay.
Political Clash Over Alleged Party Betrayal
During her visit on Wednesday, Wanga accused Omondi of abandoning ODM ideologies despite being elected on the party ticket. She stated that she had previously attempted to engage the MP on development initiatives for Suba South, which she described as one of the most marginalised regions in Nyanza.
ODM had agreed to work with the government following the formation of the broad-based government, and it found your MP Omondi closer to President Ruto. Omondi refused afterwards,
Wanga said according to The Star.
The governor expressed surprise that Omondi chose to oppose the administration, noting that local leaders had initially expected him to work alongside them to support the appointment of Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi. Omondi has publicly announced that he will leave ODM ahead of the next election and called on voters to ensure President William Ruto does not remain in office after 2027.
Wanga was joined at the rally by Suba South parliamentary aspirants Lucy Manyala and Bernard Odhuno, alongside Kaksingri West MCA aspirant Leonard Ogutu. The local aspirants criticized Omondi for focusing on politics rather than delivering promised development projects.
Security Concerns and Allegations of Disruption
Ahead of the scheduled Sunday rally, tensions have risen following claims from opposition figures regarding potential disruptions. Siaya Governor James Orengo alleged that weapons, including rungus and arrows, were distributed during a secretive night meeting held following a UDA-ODM Broad-Based Parliamentary Group meeting in Naivasha according to Kenyans.co.ke. Orengo and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino also claimed that goons were mobilized during meetings held at a governor’s residence and the home of Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma.
In response to fears of violence, Governor Wanga dismissed concerns of possible hostility as misplaced, emphasizing that Homa Bay remains a peaceful county open to every political persuasion as reported by The Eastleigh Voice. Wanga stated that the county government would work alongside the National Police Service and security agencies to guarantee safety during the political events.
We do not believe in declaring regions “out of bounds” or denying fellow Kenyans the opportunity to engage citizens because of their political affiliation,
Wanga said according to The Eastleigh Voice.
Endorsements for President Ruto’s Re-Election
Aside from local political disputes, Wanga used her platform to drum up support for President William Ruto’s re-election ahead of the 2027 General Election. She praised the Kenya Kwanza administration for allocating development funds to the region, noting that the president’s trips to Suba marked a turning point for local infrastructure.
Wanga asserted that ODM maintains its ties with the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) to foster economic growth in Nyanza, urging voters in Suba to reject the Linda Mwananchi team and any political party Omondi intends to use in defending his parliamentary seat.
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