By Anderson Ojwang
For the first time, Kakamega Senator Bonny Khalwale, the king of bullfighting, has been upstaged and left to watch from afar as a titanic political bullfight unfolds during the Saturday Linda Mwananchi tour, which has left former President Uhuru Kenyatta with guns directed at him.
If anything, the Saturday Linda Mwananchi meeting in Kakamega is likely to herald the country into the real 2027 campaign season and also determine the future and trajectory of the troubled Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).
Equally, the meeting has left Uhuru with guns trained on him by both the ODM party leader Dr Oburu Oginga-led faction and President William Ruto’s allies, who have accused him of financing the group.
President Ruto’s aide, Mr Faruk Teigut Kibet, did not mince his words and hit straight at the former president, accusing him of funding the ODM Secretary Edwin Sifuna group to undermine the President.
Speaking in Malava during campaigns for the UDA candidate in the Kabras West Ward by-election, Faruk said Uhuru was financing the group and facilitating the Kakamega meeting.
“Uhuru Kenyatta anatoa pesa ya kuitisha mkutano ambaye sio halali. Nyinyi watu wa Western Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta alikuja hapa? (Uhuru Kenyatta is financing meetings which are illegal. You people of Western Kenya, did Uhuru Kenyatta come to this region?)” he quipped.
Faruk said Uhuru failed to initiate development in Western Kenya and should stop creating division in the country.
“Aliwatengezia barabara? Kwanini unatoa pesa ya kungonganisha Wakenya? Wamama mumeamua aende. Yeye anatoa pesa ya kuzunguka miji mikubwa mikubwa (Did Uhuru construct roads here? Why are you financing meetings to divide Kenyans? Women have decided he should go. He is financing tours in major towns?),” he said.
He pleaded with the people of Malava to reject Saturday’s meeting and support development.
“Eti waliashugaka sijui wapi, eti wanakuja wapi. Watu wa Malava mnasema ashindwe? I don’t know where they were and I don’t know where they are going next. But you people of Malava, do you agree that Uhuru should be defeated in his plot?
Tunajua Uhuru Kenyatta umeanza kutoa pesa ulichukua kwa Wakenya, ndiyo tunakwambia. Hiyo pesa yako unatoa kiholela, serikali itaenda kufunga hiyo pesa yako. Na wewe hakuna kitu utafanya katika hii nchi (We know Uhuru Kenyatta has started financing meetings using money he got from Kenyans. I am warning you that we will freeze your finances, and what will you do?).
Kwani yeye ni nani? Alikuwa President wa Kenya, si anaitwa retired president? Kwani nyinyi mmeenda retire? Wangapi wanasema Uhuru Kenyatta aende? (Who is he? He was President of Kenya and is now a retired president. Have you also retired? How many are saying Uhuru Kenyatta should go?)” he said.
Faruk said they would not entertain divisive politics in the country and asked Uhuru to refrain from it.
“We will not entertain politics of division in this country. They have seen that we are constructing roads from Malava towards Chemasi, which they failed to do. We are committed to developing this region. We know you are financing the rallies, but you will be defeated. Does he think the Luhya are people to be lied to?” he said.
ODM Director of Elections Junet Mohammed, speaking in Lamu County, accused Uhuru of rocking ODM and asked him to leave the party alone and focus on his Jubilee Party.
“As you have seen since Raila left us, there have been wrangles within our party. The problem we have in ODM is not about the broad-based government or President William Ruto. The problem we have is former President Uhuru Kenyatta. He is the one destroying our party,” he said.
On Monday, the Linda Mwananchi group announced their Saturday rally in Kakamega, which was followed by President Ruto’s consultative meeting with legislators from the county.
The meeting between President Ruto and the legislators sent mixed signals on the political terrain, coming shortly after a section of MPs from the county sided with Sifuna over his sacking.
President Ruto, on his X handle, said he engaged MPs from Kakamega County at State House, Nairobi, on matters of development.
“Our discussions centered on accelerating development projects, including affordable housing, modern markets, road upgrades, the expansion of Kakamega Airport, completion of Bukhungu Stadium, and deepening access to electricity and water, among others.
We undertake to work with all leaders, irrespective of their political persuasions, to move our country forward and leave no one behind,” he wrote.
Saboti MP Caleb Amisi said the Linda Mwananchi tour is scheduled for this Saturday and urged the Luhya community to turn up in large numbers.
He wrote on his X handle: “Mbale Town and Kakamega Town mko tayari. Saturday 21st February 2026. Kenya needs renaissance.”
On President Ruto’s meeting with MPs from the county, Amisi questioned whether the political pressure on the President was increasing or decreasing.
He wrote on his X handle, accompanied by a photo of President Ruto with the MPs: “Does pressure increase or decrease?”
Over the weekend, Lugari MP Nabii Nabwera supported ODM Secretary Edwin Sifuna, saying his removal was unfair, unconstitutional, and that he was not given an opportunity to defend himself.
“As a founder member of the party, I have today made it clear that ODM must live by its ideals, including promoting democracy and espousing fairness. As clearly demonstrated, ODM NEC did not give Edwin Sifuna, the Secretary General, a fair hearing as provided for in our Constitution. On behalf of the genuine Kakamega leadership of ODM, we find the decision of the NEC unfair and unconstitutional,” he wrote on his Facebook handle.
Butere MP Tindi Mwale said the State House meeting was developmental in nature and aimed at accelerating service delivery.
He wrote on his Facebook page: “Joined my colleagues, leaders from Kakamega County, in holding candid and constructive discussions concerning development with President William Ruto at State House, Nairobi.
The meeting focused on matters of national importance, with particular emphasis on ongoing and proposed development projects and programmes in Kakamega, as well as strategies to accelerate transformation and strengthen service delivery in the region.”
Kakamega is set to usher in political bullfights as Kenya prepares for the August 2027 elections.
