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.

By Anderson Ojwang

The lessons of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) last year’s celebrations of the party at @20 could have forced the late Raila Amolo Odinga family to form a committee to handle his first anniversary.

The family, in a press statement, stated the anniversary was not a preserve for a particular organisation or political entity but Kenyans at large.

“This anniversary belongs neither to an individual nor to an institution. It belongs to the people whose lives Baba touched. As a family, our responsibility is to make sure they have their chance to remember him,” read the letter.

The family recognised Raila’s enigma, whose anniversary should include all his friends regardless of their political affiliations, race and tribe.

“We therefore want this first anniversary the people their moment with Raila – to remember him, mourn him, celebrate him and honour the journey they shared with him,” read the statement.

The letter also said the family had formed a committee to be chaired by Prof Adams Oloo to coordinate commemorative activities during the week of 15th October 2026.

“The Committee is currently developing the coordination, inclusivity and a meaningful, unified commemoration. Anyone who wishes to participate in, support or organise any activity as part of the anniversary is kindly requested to do so through the committee,” read the statement.

The move by the family could halt the ODM’s earlier released plan for the anniversary, which was met by criticism from Kisumu Women Representative and Raila’s younger sister, Ruth Odinga.

Ms Odinga said the family decided to give direction to allow all parties to participate in the anniversary.

“The ODM @20 was hurried one and did not take into consideration the family mourning period and left out several Raila supporters,” she said.

She said Raila’s first anniversary was not an ODM affair but a people-driven moment and that is why they had formed a committee to drive the agenda.

Last week, Ms Odinga sparked a storm with her post on social media platforms, pointing fingers at vultures in the party planning for the anniversary.

Odinga wrote, “We are heading for 15th October and already vultures of ODM cups and tents are now planning- Raila was an enigma! Wacheni Upuzi!”

Cups and Tents

During the Linda Ground rallies, Ruth Odinga complained of money flowing into ODM that was used to hire tents and hotels, a new concept in the party.

“Where is the money used to fly choppers, procure big tents, and mobilize and brand crowds in ODM colors coming from, yet the same money cannot be sent to the ODM Party bank accounts? That only means one thing: control.

So they must be the ones controlling the show, where they decide who is ‘invited’ to the Linda Ground tents and what they say once they get there. Anything outside the script attracts immediate booing, as was the case with Suba North MP Hon. Millie Odhiambo at the Ciala Resort in Kisumu,” she said then.

Press statement

On Thursday, the ODM Central Committee, after its meeting, released a statement detailing the programme and events to mark Raila’s anniversary.

The ODM leadership christened the month of October as Mwezi wa Baba (Baba’s Month) commemoration.

The statement read in parts, **“Ladies and Gentlemen, October marks one year since the demise of the Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga, the founder of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party. It was a tearful moment; we were all heartbroken. God plucked the best flower from our midst.

The ODM party has dedicated the entire month of October to his memory,”**.

The party said, in recognition of Raila’s tireless contribution to the country’s democracy and his Pan-Africanism, the party was dedicating the month of October as MWEZI WA BABA with the following activities:

“2nd October 2026 – Candle lighting; Kenyans will be requested to light candles wherever they are, either in organised groups or individually, in remembrance of BABA. This candle-lighting will take place at 6:00 pm across the country,” read the statement.

On 9th October 2026, the statement said the party would hold a major Memorial rally in Kakamega Town, which would bring together supporters from all the counties of the Western Kenya region, namely Kakamega, Vihiga, Busia, Bungoma and Trans Nzoia.

“From 10th to 15th of October 2026: family-led activities;

This will culminate in the main memorial service at Kang’o Ka Jaramogi in Bondo,” read the statement.

Itinerary

On 17th October 2026 – a memorial rally in Garissa Town.

This will bring together members and supporters from Northern Kenya counties of Garissa, Wajir, Mandera, Isiolo and Marsabit.

On 18th–19th of October 2026 – Memorial activities in the Coastal region.

On 21st October 2026 – Kajiado County memorial activities, 23rd to 25th October 2026 – Turkana County memorial activities and 31st of October 2026 – MWEZI WA BABA memorial rally in Nairobi County.

“We urge all our supporters to rededicate their commitment to BABA’S ideals,” read the statement.

By Anderson Ojwang

For the first time, Nairobi breathed after the departure of the general, the late Raila Amolo Odinga.

The mood was ecstatic, and the crowd was beaming with hope of a new dawn.

Jacaranda ground lived up to its tradition, buzzing as it welcomed and accepted all shades of walk, and the music sublimed the audience.

Sweet memories of the late Raila Odinga were revived, and the fondness and joy of his rallies returned once after eleven months of his absence.

The new kids on the block were born, rocked and carried the day, reviving the old Nairobi.

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, who will lead Linda Mwananchi’s presidential pursuit, and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, who will fly the outfit for the Nairobi gubernatorial seat, woke the sleepy city in the sun.

Nairobi accepted the new kids on the block, and indeed they passed the red line to be the new generals of the city politics.

From the heart of Kenya’s constitutional moment, the All Saints Cathedral, Linda Mwananchi gathered for the morning prayers.

The excitement within the congregants was palpable and, indeed, a new wind was blowing directly from the sanctuary to Jacaranda grounds.

Nairobi oozed and organically breathed a sigh of relief after several months of dullness, confusion and inactivity.

The departure of the king and the general, the former Prime Minister, the late Raila Odinga, left a vacuum.

A vacuum that for the last eleven months has been beckoning for a new sheriff and new players to occupy and assume the throne.

Declaration

Finally, Linda Mwananchi made a bold political declaration at the Jacaranda ground of presenting a presidential candidate in the 2027 General Election.

The fallout in the ODM was precipitated by one wing, Linda Mwananchi, advancing the party to present a presidential candidate, while the Linda Ground supported President William Ruto’s re-election and pre-election coalition agreement with UDA.

Suba South MP Caroli Omondi lit the crowd with his pronouncements that marked the climax of the rally as he read out the declaration.

‘We have now agreed that Babu Owino shall be the governor of Nairobi and the second question as Linda Mwananchi we have agreed that Edwin Watenya Sifuna will be our presidential candidate.

We have agreed going forth that all ODM seats in Nairobi, the eight legislators and the 36 MCAs seat will now belong to Linda Mwananchi.

We have also agreed to be in one political party. Those are the Jacaranda declaration,’ he read.

Sifuna said political feedback he had received during his countrywide tours pointed to a growing support for his presidential ambitions.

The Senator told residents that people from different parts of the country had been urging him to take up a bigger political role, in what appeared to be a fresh signal of his intention to seek the presidency.

“I want to tell Nairobi, other parts of the country want to give me another job. Do you know the job they want me to take?” Sifuna asked. “People in other parts want to take me to a certain job. Do you also want me to take that job?” he said.

Sifuna thanked Nairobi residents for electing him to the Senate, saying the position had provided him with a platform to build a national political profile.

“Because you elected me as Senator, I am now known across the country. I thank you for that opportunity you gave me,” he said.

Babu, speaking at the rally, urged the residents to support his gubernatorial bid, saying he has what it takes to make Nairobi work again.

He used the rally to pitch his plans for Nairobi, saying he would seek to address the city’s longstanding challenges if elected governor in 2027.

Siaya Governor James Orengo said they had put Ruto on notice and that he would be defeated at the elections.

“On August 10, 2027, Kenya takes its power back. William Ruto, your era of state capture and forced abductions ends at the ballot box, constitutionalism and rule of law return,” he said.

Babu said the unity of the opposition was important to defeating President Ruto at the elections.

“We continue to call for unity within the opposition. If we are to defeat this regime in 2027, we must put our differences aside and rally behind ONE Presidential candidate who can unite Kenyans and deliver victory at the ballot.

Today, the people of Jacaranda, Embakasi East, came out in their numbers to make their voices heard.

The message is clear: Unity is our strength. Victory is possible. Kenya First,”he wrote.

By Anderson Ojwang

Kisumu Governor Prof Anyang Nyong’o, for the first time, came out of his political closet eleven months after the death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga to reveal the deceased’s last wish.

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, was 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, 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.

“Kwa romba omiyo rais Ruto dene ok oyudo time ma obiro kaye kawuono nikech en gi yore mageny. (Take care of my flock. President Ruto came here despite his busy schedule.)

Kendo ne obiro e yo moro ma odhi romo kod leaders sani. Obiro nikech wach ma nyicha nyasauye ne omiye. Ndugu Ruto kwa romba. John I leave for you my (he came and he will meet with local leaders because God had spoken to him, so Ndugu Ruto, take care of my flock)”

Ruto

President Ruto committed to protect Raila’s legacy and the party, and that was the reason behind the formation of a 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 said there was an agreement between Raila and himself that they would raise the bar of the political contest.

“Between me and Raila, we agreed that we were going to raise the bar of the contest on the political leadership in Kenya.

That it is not going to be any more about personalities but the people. When we agreed that we are moving together and I have come to Nyanza because like any other part of Kenya we are investing on matters of development,” he said.

Ruto told the residents of Nyanza not to be worried because he had their interest at 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.

Ruto met more than 10,000 grassroots leaders from Kisumu, Siaya, Homa Bay and Migori counties at the Kenya Shipyards in Kisumu City.

“We deliberated on the region’s development priorities and our national transformation agenda.

In honour of the late statesman Raila Odinga, we agreed to deepen cooperation between ODM and UDA,” he said.

He said the partnership was strong and enduring, anchored in the Broad-Based Government framework.

“Over the last four years, we have made remarkable progress in transforming our nation and delivered most of the promises we made to Kenyans in our 2022 manifesto.

We have stabilised and expanded the economy, reduced inflation, strengthened our foreign exchange reserves, revived stalled road projects and returned contractors to site,”** he said.

By Anderson Ojwang

President William Ruto in Kisumu on Sunday, during a meeting with grassroots leaders, exuded and expressed confidence of winning the 2027 presidential elections, terming the opposition as clueless and having no agenda.

While Ruto was exuding confidence of victory, DCP party leader Rigathi Gachagua, speaking from the USA, claimed of several failed attempts by President Ruto to divide and woo some of the leaders to his fold.

Gachagua said Ruto has repeatedly sent emissaries to Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka and Jubilee Deputy Party Leader Dr Fred Matiang’i to join him.

“Ruto has tried severally to woo Kalonzo and Matiang’i to his fold through coercion and financial promises. But this has miserably failed in his attempts,” he said.

Confidence

But Ruto, speaking in Kisumu, said the opposition was clueless, planless and had no agenda for the country and was at the brink of disintegration.

“I am confident of winning this election. The opposition is clueless and the outfit will soon disintegrate. They have no agenda,” he said.

Ruto told his supporters not to be worried about the opposition as he will easily whitewash them at the next year’s General Elections.

“Those people, a bunch of people who have no agenda, vision, clueless people, and planless. They pose the biggest threat to the management of the affairs of the Republic and development of Kenya.

“We want to judge every leader and political formation by their vision, plan and agenda track record.

“That is why we are facing the election next year with a lot of confidence.

“I want to request you people of Nyanza let us collaborate with me as head to the elections,” he said.

Clueless

Disintegrating

President Ruto dismissed the opposition as a confused group with no agenda and was disintegrating.

**“Do not be worried. Those people we are in competition with are below the par in politics.

“Listen, they started with united opposition and they failed to agree and now they call themselves alternative government,”** he said.

He said the opposition has failed to agree, unite and lacks any agenda for the country.

“In alternative government they call alternative ideas, agenda, programme. They don’t have and offer alternative anything. That have also disintegrated,” he said.

He said the only agenda the opposition has was sloganeering of Wantam and Ruto must go.

“Now they only rely on the slogan of Wantam, Ruto must go and Kasongo. They are down politically. They have no agenda, plan and manifesto. Those Linda sponsor or Linda what have nothing to offer,” he said.

Ruto appealed to the residents of Nyanza to work and collaborate with him and avoid the opposition, whose only agenda was sloganeering.

Infiltrated and failed attempts

Gachagua said for the past one year, the biggest challenge the opposition has had was the infiltration by President Ruto.

“The challenge we are having today is the infiltration by Ruto and trying to divide the united opposition. He has tried for a fact. For the last one year he has been trying to divide the opposition and creating conflict among ourselves,” he said.

He claimed that Ruto has tried coercion and financial gains to woo the opposition, but all have failed.

“Ruto has been offering people money, threatening them with cases and I can assure you all of us have been very strong and committed to the people of Kenya,” he claimed.

Matiang’i

He praised Matiang’i for remaining steadfast and declining the offers and the pressure from Ruto.

“Give it to him, Dr Matiang’i. They have targeted him, and they have sent a senior government officer to talk to him. He shared with us and said No,” he said.

He said Ruto was also trying to use National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohammed to woo Matiang’i to his fold.

“They sent Junet Mohammed and he has been assuring Ruto that he can bring Matiang’i. Matiang’i is so clear that he cannot betray the people of Kenya. Many times when I have learnt of what they are planning, I tell him and he confirms I was right,” he said.

Recently, Matiang’i, Junet and Kisii Governor Simba Arati were spotted at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport with the opposition leaders sharing the photo at the airport, which left Kenyans wondering whether the Jubilee leader was about to cross to the government.

“He is steadfast. They even tried to bring an issue of the Ruaraka land and to threaten him that they could prosecute him.

“He refused to be intimidated because he never committed any crime,” he said.

Kalonzo

Gachagua praised Kalonzo for his stand and having a position and dismissed the narrative that he was a watermelon in the opposition.

“Dr Kalonzo, I want to honour him. Previously there was a narrative that he was watermelon and people believed it and even me.

“But since I started working with Kalonzo, that narrative is false. If there is a man with stand, it is Kalonzo. If you want to know, every five years, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga would promise to support him but he didn’t but he still stuck with Raila,” he said.

He said Ruto has severally tried to persuade Kalonzo to his side but failed miserably.

“They have tried to send people to Kalonzo with money but he has declined. He is standing with people of Kenya.

“They have tried to give him all manner of offers,” he said.

He said the opposition have developed and adopted an open and honest policy of transparency among themselves.

“Good thing so that we don’t suspect each other. Any time he is approached he tells us and this has enabled us to remain united,” he said.

Attack

Kalonzo recently, during a meeting with Linda Mwananchi, opened up over what he termed as an attack from President Ruto.

Kalonzo admitted at the press conference that he was under a terrible attack by President Ruto and his teams, claiming that he was joining the government.

“I am thrilled because you have also come to Linda Kalonzo. Because I am under attack, a terrible attack that I met William Ruto.

“You have come to Linda my name and through God I have Linda my name, constitution and our pride. I cannot make that terrible mistake,” he said.

He dismissed claims that he had met with President Ruto in State House and that the President’s bloggers were churning out fake news.

“The social media platforms was awash with me joining Ruto. I was in Zanzibar after having meeting with editors. Yesterday I took a boat from Zanzibar to Dar es Salaam and back to Nairobi,” he said.

The social media has been awash with video clips of Kalonzo in State House meeting President Ruto and that he was about to join the government.

Panicked

Kalonzo said President Ruto had panicked by the resurgence of the opposition and defections from UDA to former Deputy President Gachagua’s DCP and Linda Mwananchi.

“I am happy you reached out to me, kindly also engage other colleagues so that as we enter in August, the election year are united. We have no time Ruto and his team panicked,” he said.

Linda Mwananchi walking into political redline with Nairobi rally, will they fit into Raila’s shoes?

By Anderson Ojwang

Today, Sunday, marks a political redline for Linda Mwananchi in its pursuit for a new dispensation. That is why there was an alleged attempt by the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) to hold a parallel rally, which was later rescinded.

But the ODM Nairobi leadership has dismissed claims that the party was planning to hold a separate rally in Nairobi alongside the Linda Mwananchi Movement on Sunday, September 13, 2026.

Speaking to the media on Friday, September 11, 2026, ODM Nairobi Chairman George Aladwa dismissed the claims, saying that the Oburu Oginga Odinga-led party has no such plans. He also welcomed the Edwin Sifuna team to the capital and held their rally.

“I wish to make our position as ODM Nairobi very clear. Linda Mwananchi is free to hold its rally and conduct its political activities in Nairobi.

“As ODM Nairobi, we have no business interfering with their rally, and we will not interfere with their activities. They have a right to speak to Nairobi residents, just as ODM has the right to engage the people and advance our political agenda,” Aladwa said.

The ODM county chairman sought to distance his party from the planned event, saying the party was focused on strengthening its structures and expanding its grassroots support ahead of the 2027 General Election.

“Our focus as ODM Nairobi is elsewhere. We are currently engaged in an extensive programme to market and strengthen the party across Nairobi. We are rebuilding our grassroots structures, mobilising our supporters and preparing the party for the 2027 General Election,” Aladwa said.

Former Law Society of Kenya President Faith Odhiambo, who is also a principal member of the Linda Mwananchi Movement, while addressing the issue, said, “We have received credible reports of goons being mobilised and organised to interrupt our meetings. We maintain that Kenya is a free and democratic country where nobody should be cowed out of expressing their political preferences. So, we will proceed with our rally, and we hope that those who have planned to interfere will rethink their decision.”

Test for Sifuna and Babu

For Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, the Nairobi rally is a political redline that will finally determine their future going forward.

It is a test that will determine whether they have come of age to fit into the shoes of their mentor and former Prime Minister, the late Raila Amolo Odinga, and can now comfortably control the city politics or not.

Equally, it will mark the final straw in the separation of two decades of family unity in the Kenya opposition party, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).

Babu wrote, “Mobilisation nimefanya hii Nairobi nzima. Matatu zote za Sugoi zimejaa, wanakuja Kanairo. Jacaranda itajaa kabisa. Kesho mfike kiwanja mapema (The kind of mobilization we have taken in Nairobi. Even Matatu from Sugoi will come to Nairobi. Jacaranda ground will be filled to the brim,”

Sifuna wrote, “Laps kiasi huku Landi mawe, Jogoo Road, Donny Roundabout, Umoja, Jacaranda…… Are you ready for tomorrow?”

The Jacaranda rally holds the key to Sifuna and Babu in their new political quest, and for Linda Mwananchi, it will mark its grand entry to City politics, the seat of power.

The shoes

Raila, after his release from prison, started his politics in Langata, where he was elected the MP in the 1992 General Election and remained the General of the city politics.

Raila controlled and swayed Nairobi politics, controlling the county government through either the executive or the county assembly.

Among his Nairobi mentees were Sifuna and Babu, who have become significant players in the city politics and now nationally.

Babu has already declared his bid for the Nairobi gubernatorial seat, where he is the candidate to beat and one of the top luminaries of the opposition politics.

Sifuna will not be defending his senatorial seat as he eyes the presidency in a contest with President William Ruto.

Sifuna is currently riding high, and the recent opinion poll placed him second after Ruto, with 15 per cent against Ruto at 24 per cent, by TIFA survey.

So, for Babu and Sifuna, today’s rally is make or unmake. It will be a day of declaration of purpose and intent.

The big question that they will need to answer is if they have come of age to fit into Raila’s Nairobi and national shoes and are ready to carry on with his political ideology.

Similarly, will they get the blessings of Nairobians in the new political quests?

Divorce

The rally will finally bring to an end the family tie that bound them together in the ODM and probably will reveal the new political home for the supporters ahead of the next year’s General Elections.

The duo shall have come of age to walk away from the father’s home, ODM, to build their own stead, a new political party.

In Nairobi, they may unveil the new home or give a glimpse of what the new home may look like.

Raila first Anniversary

This will be the first major political function and rally that Babu and Sifuna will be holding in Nairobi after Raila’s death and the separation.

Already, ODM has released its programme to celebrate Raila’s first anniversary, which has already drawn criticism from Kisumu Women Representative Ruth Odinga, who called the planners “Cups and Tents” in ODM.