By Anderson Ojwang
On Monday, for the first time at a political and development tour by President William Ruto in Kisumu, turned Nyanza yellow, the colour of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
Similarly, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) published the notice of the General Election.
Nyanza, which has been synonymous with the orange colour of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) in the last two decades, was swarmed by yellow at the various events, marking a new political dispensation in the region.
Yellow became more pronounced and prominent, while the orange colour was marginal, highlighting the changing political terrain for both political partners in the broad-based alliance.
Ironically, there was no single poster bearing the inscription of ODM and its leadership, with most banners and posters having writings and images of President Ruto and Internal Security Permanent Secretary Dr Raymond Omollo.
Invasion
Kisumu, which has been the stronghold and political barometer for ODM and Nyanza for the last two decades, looked to be slipping into the hands of President Ruto and UDA.
The scenes witnessed on Monday told a different story about the party of the Enigma, the late Raila Amolo Odinga, and his legacy.
With only 11 months to the next General Election, UDA is now hell-bent on muzzling ODM in its stronghold and dictating the political tone and terms.
Save for ODM deputy party leader Simba Arati, who spoke loudly over the ODM centrality and control of Nyanza, the ODM national chairperson, Gladys Wanga, and broad-based allied governors and MPs elected to watch with eyes closed as UDA ravaged ODM in its backyard.
The crowd, draped in UDA tops, caps and scarves, while the orange colour diminished in the invasion and attack.
New chapter
Ruto said the 2027 General Election will be a watershed for our country, bringing to an end the politics of tribalism, division and discrimination, and ushering in a new chapter defined by national unity, inclusivity and a shared national purpose.
“As a result, Kenyans will rally together around a common national transformation agenda, expanding opportunity for every citizen regardless of the region, religion or background.
This is the Kenya we envisioned with the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga,” he said.
Publication of Notice
On Monday, 14th 2026, IEBC gave a notice of the 10th August General Election.
It read in parts: “The public is hereby notified that pursuant to powers conferred by Article 88(4) of the Constitution of Kenya, the provisions of the Elections Act, Cap 7 and the Elections (General) Regulations, 2012, the Independent Electoral & Boundaries Commission has published the Notice of the General Election scheduled to be held on Tuesday, 10th August, 2027 for the respective elections and election campaign financing timelines as carried in the Kenya Gazette Notice Numbers 13497, 13498, 13499, 13500, 13501, 13502 and 13503 Vol. CXXVIII – No. 144 published on 20th August, 2026 and Gazette Number No. 13771 Vol. CXXVIII – No. 150 published on 26th August, 2026,”
Arati’s plea
Arati appealed to the people of Nyanza and Kisumu not to fall into the political trap of electing leaders on different parties instead of ODM.
“I want to request the people of Kisumu let remain in ODM. I want kindly request in Kisumu don’t bring political cocktail. Kisumu and Nyanza is an ODM zone. We as members o in Nyanza at large we have agreed to work with Ruto,” he said.
Arati said in the pre-election coalition arrangement ODM will demand half of the government slots.
“President Ruto in this government we are forming we will take a half as ODM and we leave UDA the other half. That is how we will negotiate,” he said.
The Flock
Last Sunday, Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o said Raila tasked Ruto to look after his political flock.
Nyong’o, who has remained guarded over the infighting and eventual fallout in Raila’s Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), with the Linda Mwananchi of former Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino walking away to join the opposition.
While the Linda Ground retained the identity of ODM and are currently crafting a pre-election coalition pact with President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
At a church in Kisumu attended by Ruto and leaders from the region, Nyong’o took to the podium and spoke in Dholuo to announce Raila’s last wish to Ruto.
Nyong’o made a biblical reference to Jesus’ last days and directive to his trusted disciples and what he expected of them.
“Ka Yesu ne wuok e piny ka odhi e polo ne en gi jopuonjre ne ariiyo mane ohero kabisa.” (When Jesus on his final days to return to heaven. He had his disciples whom he loved most.)
“Petro kod johana. To ne oluongo gi ma owacho ni yani. Petro kod johana kua romba.” (They were Peter and John. He called and told them to take care of my flock), he said.
Nyong’o said in Raila’s last days before his death, he directed President Ruto to take care of his political flock.
“Ka ne Raila ae pinyni mikech nyasaye oluonge nikech odhi kuma bor ne onyiso rais mar this country Wiliam Samoei Ruto ndugu Samoe kwa romba.” (Before Raila died because God had called him and he was going to a new world. He told President of the country William Samoei Ruto, take care of my flock), he said.
Raila told Ruto to protect his flock, and that was the reason why Ruto found time to be in Kisumu and also to meet grassroots leaders.
“Take care of my flock. President Ruto came here despite his busy schedule. He came and he will meet with local leaders because God had spoken to him, so Ndugu Ruto take care of my flock,” he said.
Legacy
President Ruto committed to protect Raila’s legacy and the party, and that was the reason behind the formation of the broad-based government.
“As the president and a student of Raila Amolo Odinga I want to reassure you that we will walk together, ODM and UDA are not competitors but are partners in the broad-based government,” he said.
Ruto said in honour of Raila he will take responsibility to ensure his legacy lives on.
“In honour of my late brother Raila, I will make it my responsibility and business to ensure that his legacy, his party and what he believed in lives on as we work together to build a better Kenya,” he said.
Ruto told the residents of Nyanza not to be worried because he had their interest at his heart.
“Do not be worried because he that you will negotiate with is not a stranger. He is former deputy leader of ODM.
I am very confident that the partnership that the late Raila Odinga gave us when he was alive. We are going to respect his wishes and work with his vision.
We are going to make sure his party ODM, vision will be a vision we will carry into the future,” he said.
