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Businessman Hillary Alila emerges as top candidate for the vacant Homa Bay Deputy Governor seat

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By Team

Businessman Hillary Alila has emerged as one of the top candidates for the vacant post of Deputy Governor for Homa Bay.

Alila contested for the Homa Bay senatorial seat in 2013 against former Cabinet Minister, the late Otieno Kajwang.

Alila, a darling of the youth and women, was widely acceptable in all the seven sub-counties for his kindness, calm and non-violent nature.

Currently, Alila looks a viable candidate for the vacant deputy governor seat by virtue that he hails from Ndhiwa Constituency, a vote-rich area basking with 100,000 registered voters.

Similarly, Alila’s appointment would aid Governor Gladys Wanga’s arithmetic for the 2027 general election if Alila delivers most of the votes.

Already, Alila has been under pressure from his supporters to contest for the Homa Bay senatorial seat in the 2027 general election.

Alila downplayed the development, saying in politics anything can happen and he would take the seat if the governor shows faith and trust in him.

“If the Governor finds in her wisdom to appoint me to the seat, why not? I have a dream to serve our people in whatever capacity,” he said.

The seat fell vacant after the deputy, Joseph Oyugi Magwanga, resigned after he termed it as irreconcilable differences with Wanga.

The former ODM leader, the late Raila Amolo Odinga, midwifed the Wanga-Magwanga ticket for the gubernatorial contest and defeated former Nairobi Governor Dr Evans Kidero in the 2022 general election.

Magwanga has declared his candidature for the seat and has embarked on town hall meetings to endear himself to the electorate.

Raila is banking on the larger Rachuonyo, consisting of Kasipul, Kabondo Kasipul and Karachuonyo, to boost his bid in the 2027 elections.

Also in the race for consideration for the vacant seat are CEC Finance Mr Salomon Obiero, a close confidant of the governor. Others are CEC Elijah Munga, CEC Denish Onyango, Speaker Okombo and former Nyanza PMO Prof Richard Muga.

Obiero comes from Kibiri Ward in Karachuonyo and has been engaged in various activities and has in the recent past accompanied the governor in her functions.

Obiero and Munga are expected to checkmate Magwanga in the vote-rich Karachuonyo and are expected to lead her re-election in the 2027 general elections.

Onyango and Muga from Kasipul are also expected to checkmate Magwanga in the two constituencies and will lead Wanga’s campaign in the area.

Orengo: ODM did not sanction the cabinet appointments of top party officials

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By Anderson Ojwang

Siaya Governor James Orengo has claimed that the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) did not sanction top party officials joining the government.

Orengo, in an interview, said the deputy party leaders Hassan Joho and Wycliff Oparanya, National Chairman John Mbadi and Director of Political Affairs Opiyo Wandayi joined President William Ruto’s cabinet in their own volition.

Orengo said the party leader, the late Raila Amolo Odinga, did not sanction the move and it was done behind his back.

Mbadi was appointed Cabinet Secretary for Treasury, Wandayi became the Energy Cabinet Secretary, Joho became Mining Cabinet Secretary while Oparanya was appointed to Cooperatives.

Orengo said there is no coalition agreement between ODM and UDA and no instrument has been formed for the two parties to engage in a coalition arrangement.

“Raila did not veto his top party officials to join the government. That was a personal decision and had no blessings of the party. ODM remains the opposition party,” he said.

ODM party leader Dr Oburu Oginga has maintained that he was the brain behind the formation of the broad-based government and chaired the meeting between President Ruto and Raila.

Dr Oburu revealed that the meeting which culminated in the appointments of ODM experts into President Ruto’s cabinet was chaired by him.

He negotiated for the cabinet slots and the 14 Permanent Secretaries slots.

“I have been the chairman of the meetings including the one which appointed Opiyo Wandayi, John Mbadi, Hassan Joho to the cabinet.
I want to tell you that we have currently 14 Permanent Secretaries in this government and directors. We got into this government by accident because the government was shaken by Gen Z,” he said.

He said the broad-based government was his pet baby and was meant to unite the country and has brought development in the country.

“Those who are saying Oburu does not talk are talking nonsense. In this broad-based arrangement, I want to assure those who are saying that it was only Raila who could handle it and that Oburu does not know anything about it.
I want to tell them that all the meetings of the broad-based arrangements with Ruto, the chairman has been Oburu Odinga before you here today,” he said.

Recently, Suba South MP Caroli Omondi sensationally claimed that Raila was betrayed while in Dubai over the formation of the broad-based government.

Caroli, in a recent TV interview, claimed that while Raila was in Dubai, some of his lieutenants joined the government without his blessings.

“Let me tell you, in the fullness of time, we will bring some things out that will surprise people. There are people who claim they are in the broad-based government because of Raila.
They went into the broad-based government against Raila’s wishes when he was in Dubai, when he directed that they should not join the broad-based arrangement. They know how they ended up there,” he said.

Caroli said Raila was infuriated and disappointed, and that when he returned to the country, he avoided some of those leaders.

“When Raila came back, he refused to even meet them at the airport. He got into the airside, got into his car, drove away and disappeared.
Raila issued a statement that they went in their personal capacity. People didn’t understand what Baba was saying,” he said.

Caroli said some of those leaders should not pretend and lie to the public that they were in good books with Raila before his death and should be honest about their relationship.

“Some of them, by the time Baba was dying, they were not on talking terms. When they are talking to us, they should know that we are not stupid. There is a way they should talk to us.
They should not talk to us with useless statements that we are in the broad-based government for development. I am asking them, yes, it is true, what development has been taken to Luo land under this broad-based arrangement under Sh50b, Sh50m cumulatively added by none other than the Chairman of Budget at the Assembly, Sam Atandi, while one hospital is being built in Uasin Gishu at Sh50b?” he said.

Caroli expressed concern that Raila’s pet project, the Sondu-Koin Dam valued at Sh25 billion, has stalled and nobody is following it up.

“Baba’s pet project was Sondu-Koin Dam, which is Sh25b. That is what he wanted the broad-based government to do, but it has not been done. Nobody is pursuing it.
We are being told about development while the contractor doing my roads has three pending certificates. The CS John Mbadi for Treasury is from my constituency. Why can’t they pay the bills so that the works can go on smoothly? You cannot take a whole community for a ride simply because of small handouts,” he said.

Oburu cancels Kisumu County ODM elections to avert his allies from losing

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By Anderson Ojwang

Old habits and dirty tricks in the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) have returned after the party leader Dr Oburu Oginga ordered the cancellation of Kisumu County elections, fearing his allies were likely to lose to the opponents.

Oburu directed the party’s National Election Coordination Committee to cancel the elections over what he termed the prevailing polarization informed by intelligence.

With hours to Friday elections, Oburu wrote to the National Chairperson Emily Awinja to postpone the election over what he termed as the prevailing polarized environment informed by intelligence.

He wrote “Following the prevailing polarized environment informed by intelligence, I have made a decision to inform you to cancel the elections slated for tomorrow Friday 6th 2026. Kindly comply and inform the concerned parties,” signed by Dr Oburu Oginga.

The move by Oburu could be a tip of the ice of what may be awaiting aspirants for the various elective seats in 2027 who intend to run on the ODM ticket. ODM has for decades failed to conduct transparent nominations with the leadership taking shambolic nominations or dishing out direct tickets.

A sharp division had emerged in the county election with Oburu supporting the current chairman Paul Akeyo, who had failed to garner any meaningful support from the delegates.

ODM National Chairperson, Governor Gladys Wanga and Kisumu Woman Rep Rosa Buyu were supporting Seth Ochieng Kanga alias Adui Nyang against the delegates’ favourite, Thomas Opande.

Sources told the writer that Oburu had telephoned the candidates with a view to build consensus and support Akeyo as the county chairman while Adui was to become the vice, while Opande was to be relegated to the periphery.

He was seen as an outsider and not part of the political matrix in the party, who could not be trusted to lead the party in Kisumu.

The sources revealed that after Oburu failed to prevail over the candidates he opted to cancel the elections in order to strategize.

In Kisumu, the battle over the delegates went a notch higher after the leading candidate, Opande, secured most of the delegates and hosted them for an overnight strategy meeting in Kisumu town.

“It is an unfortunate decision. I can tell you Opande was winning the elections. We spent a night together planning on how to win. We have the delegates and nothing will stop Opande from winning,” said one of the delegates.

The party grassroots elections have been marred by interferences by the national officials and controversy over the sub-branch elections.

Recently, Nyando MP Jared Okello sued the party, NECC Chairperson Awinja and Kenneth Ooko over the branch leadership at the Political Parties Tribunal Court.

Okello recently hosted Dr Oburu at his home where he bragged to the electorate as having been the one who sponsored the motion for sacking of the ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna during the recent National Governing Council (NEC).

Oburu at the function said Okello has been a good family friend and that he has been visiting him both at his rural and Nairobi homes.

Okello and three others sued ODM, Ahero MCA Kenneth Ooko, East Kano/Wawidhi MCA Moses Ochele and the National Election Coordination Committee Chairperson Emily Awiti, accusing the committee of unlawfully taking over the harmonization.

Okello through his lawyer argued that on 24th February, 2026, and to the utter dismay, the Chairperson National Election Coordination Committee (NECC) Ms Hon Emily Awitta proceeded with the unlawful meeting ex parte and in the absence of the applicants and issued a determination in favour of Ooko and Ochele.

They said by the Committee accepting the list presented by the 2nd and 3rd Respondents as the valid list for Nyando Sub-County Branch delegates was a traverse of justice.

Okello argued that on the following day, on 25th February 2026, the Chairperson National Election Coordination Committee (NECC) Ms Hon Emily Awitta put a Notice by the NECC announcing that it will conduct the County Delegates elections for Kisumu County on Friday 6th March 2026 from 9am until 12.00pm.

“The Complainants accused ODM and the Chairperson of the National Election Coordination Committee for having ignored the fact that Nyando Constituency have Five (5) Wards, represented by Five Members of the County Assembly of Kisumu,” they argued.

Okello through his lawyer argued that each Member of County Assembly is an elected representative of his or her area and only two members representing two wards were part of the alleged harmonization meeting.

That the majority of the three wards representing 60% in Nyando Constituency were disenfranchised and locked out of the negotiation and or the harmonization process.

They argued that the actions of Awitta were unlawful, unprocedural, discriminatory and disenfranchising to a majority of the ODM members in Nyando Constituency.

They argued that they have not only been prejudiced and disenfranchised by the actions of NECC but also their rights to participate in elections and affairs of the ODM party have been grossly violated contrary to the protection of Article 38 of the Constitution.

The decision of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party to appoint a new Harmonization Sub-Committee in their view was premised on the Principle of the Rules of Natural Justice to the effect that the National Election Coordination Committee (NECC) could not sit as an arbiter over a dispute whose outcome they presided over having been the organiser and the referee for the Nyando Constituency grassroots party elections.

On March 2, 2026, the Tribunal issued the order suspending the implementation of the February 24, 2026 decision by the ODM National Election Coordinating Committee pending the hearing and determination of the dispute.

Ndindi Nyoro on KPC IPO and the Silver Lining in Uganda’s Takeover

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By Billy Mijungu

Speaking to the press, Ndindi Nyoro offered his take on the recent proposed IPO of Kenya Pipeline Company, describing it as both a national embarrassment and, strangely, a potential opportunity.

According to Nyoro, the IPO was initially structured as a public offering meant to allow ordinary Kenyans to own a stake in the strategic pipeline operator. But the response from the market was dismal. Subscriptions barely reached five percent, signaling deep skepticism among investors about the transaction.

“It was clear the market was not interested,” Nyoro said. “The government then extended the subscription period, and Uganda stepped in with a huge commitment. It was not market-driven. It was political. But perhaps that is the silver lining.”

Nyoro argued that Uganda’s presence on the board of KPC could introduce an unexpected form of discipline in the management of the pipeline network. For years, the company has faced allegations of inefficiency, mismanagement and losses linked to theft of petroleum products.

“Maybe with Uganda on the board we can steal less from KPC,” he quipped. “That might actually be the silver lining here.”

The lawmaker went further and suggested that the government should think more boldly about regional ownership. With the pipeline system already serving the wider region, Nyoro said there is little reason to limit participation to Kenya alone.

“Nothing stops us from selling another fifteen percent of KPC to Rwanda and Burundi,” he argued. “If Uganda is already committed, why not bring in other East African neighbours? In fact, that offer should have come earlier, before Uganda made its huge pipeline commitment through Tanzania.”

Nyoro also sharply criticized how the government handled the share uptake. He revealed that many of the shares supposedly bought by “local companies” were in fact taken up by state-linked institutions such as the National Social Security Fund and the Kenya Parliamentary Service Commission Superannuation Scheme.

“If you cannot invest your own money in KPC, do not put workers’ money into this politically influenced transaction,” he said.

From my perspective, the episode exposes the dangers of political interference in capital markets, but it may also point to a pragmatic regional future. If neighboring states begin to treat the pipeline as shared infrastructure rather than a purely national asset, governance could improve through mutual oversight.

In that spirit, I proposed a symbolic but strategic renaming.

Uganda, having taken a significant stake, could even demand that the company be renamed the East African Pipeline. If the asset is evolving into a regional energy corridor, the name should reflect that reality.

Political interference in capital markets is dangerous, but Uganda’s involvement could force more transparency and accountability. It may finally push KPC to operate like a proper commercial enterprise rather than a politically managed utility.

Maybe, just maybe, Uganda’s involvement will help control our appetite for thievery.

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Lack of economic literacy undermining wealth creation, development in Africa

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By Anderson Ojwang

Despite the African continent being endowed with vast wealth, the ability to transform this opportunity has been negated by a lack of economic literacy.

Incoming Secretary General of the United Cities and Local Governments of Africa (UCGLA) Dr Francois Menguele said.

He said population is the basis of wealth creation and it’s unfortunate that 90 percent of the African population lack economic literacy.

“For realistic growth and development, economic literacy is important to help transform what we have in the physical environment into wealth. That is why a literate population is a vehicle to wealth creation and growth,” he said in an interview.

He said wealth was a transformational power and acquisition of skills will allow for the exploitation of the physical wealth present on the continent.

Menguele said through economic literacy it was possible and easy to turn the potential into wealth for the continent.

“We have the skills and capacity to see the potential. We are surrounded with wealth. But we have a situation where our youths leave the continent because they think there is nothing to gain. It is called lack of the eye to see the potential in Africa,” he said.

Countries that are resourced with human skills transformed the wealth.

What to do

He said it was important to commodify economic literacy so that it is possible to turn the abundant physical potential into real wealth.

“If you enable the people to have skills, it will make our tasks in wealth creation a possible venture. People who have minimum skills are able to create wealth,” he said.

He said various barriers and bureaucracy have undermined progressive growth and development in Africa and wealth creation.

“The barriers make our people go the informal way. We have barriers in the administrative system where various forms are expected to be filled before one gets service.

Barriers in the banking sector in the way of bank requirements for loans. There are barriers everywhere so this makes our people revert to the informal way of production,” he said.

The Secretary General said there was a need for minimum skills to understand the essentials of living together and caring about one another.

He said financial challenges, making the AU have to rely on donations, with many member states struggling to pay membership dues, were undermining wealth creation in the region.

“This failure is perpetuating itself and this is forcing foreign countries to bail out the continent. This explains why China is building wealth in Africa instead of Africans creating their own wealth,” he said.

Local Government

He said local governments are important vehicles in wealth creation and their recognition is a milestone in realising growth and development.

“If we as the advocates of local development, we need to add value to AU. We need to change the equation. We must rely on our own assets and build from them,” he said.

The SG said some of the valuable assets include the culture of saving and thinking about tomorrow and not purely consumerism.

“From independence in Africa’s context, the culture of saving is missing. We live in consumption and less on investments. We do not have savings.

We must build assets no matter whatever situation you are going to, we have the means to live and walk upright as Africans,” he said.

On territorial wealth, he said there was a need to strengthen the capacity to transform the physical potential into wealth.

“In the emerging context, we have to acknowledge local governments as value addition in development and wealth creation. AU acknowledges local government as a leverage to development.

Having a High Council of Local Authorities embedded in AU to use the charter as its own tool to structure conversation is crucial,” he said.

He said it was important to make development all-inclusive and that Africans in the diaspora should come and invest back home.

“We have many Africans in the diaspora who are successful. Let them come back, discover and add value to the local governments and opportunities,” he said.

The SG said African countries’ relationship with colonial powers is based on extraction where countries and localities with natural resources are being deprived of the resources for hundreds of years.

“They only pay for extraction. We must work on the equation that residents enjoy the proceeds. National governments need to restructure the contracts on mining with companies and this requires human capacity, skills and economic literacy.

Lack of skills and capacity has resulted in signed contracts that have become detrimental to the communities from which the resources are being extracted,” he said.

Nyong’o to vie for the Presidency of United Cities and Local Governments of Africa at the March General Assembly

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By Anderson Ojwang

Kisumu Governor Prof Peter Anyang Nyong’o will vie for the presidency of the United Cities and Local Governments of Africa (UCLGA).

Nyong’o, who is currently the Vice President of the Eastern Africa region, is likely to be re-elected to the seat unopposed in today’s elections in Kisumu.

Nyong’o is seeking re-election as the Vice President of the region and is optimistic of winning the presidency.

Nyong’o will face opponents from South Africa while North Africa will be seeking re-election for the presidential seat.

Chief of Staff Mr Aloyce Ager said the East Africa region is currently meeting in Kisumu and includes 14 countries from the region namely Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Somalia, Madagascar, Djibouti, Ethiopia and Sudan.

He said the continent is divided into five regions namely Eastern Africa, West Africa, North Africa, South Africa and Central Africa.

He said the General Assembly is slated for March 22nd to 25th in Nouakchott, Mauritania and will discuss various issues and elections will be part of the agenda.

He said UCLGA is the umbrella body of local governments and cities, representing a membership of 320M Africans.

The body is run on the mirror image of the African Union (AU) government and has five regions with distinct leadership structures.

The structures start from the grassroots and move to the region, with each region referred to as a caucus.

“Before the General Assembly, the caucus convenes to discuss issues of the region and elect leaders from the region, who will seek leadership at the General Assembly,” he said.

He said people elected in this caucus will be eligible for election at the continental level.

The five Vice Presidents sit in the conclave to elect the President. The regions’ caucus hold elections every three years.

“It is at the General Assembly where major decisions of the organisation are canvassed. It is run through a Secretariat located in Rabat, Morocco,” he said.

The Executive Committee has the Vice Presidents as members.

In 2018, Kisumu lobbied to host the 2022 AFRI Cities, the 9th edition, a milestone in the development and growth of Kisumu City and put it on the world map.

Odm and UDA have no future without zoning

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By Billy Mijungu

The uneasy courtship between the Orange Democratic Movement and the United Democratic Alliance cannot survive on goodwill alone. Politics is arithmetic before it is emotion. Without a clear zoning formula, this arrangement risks collapsing under the weight of suspicion and long term ambition.

Linda Mwananchi could very well have the last laugh. The firm position from UDA that there will be no zoning offers ODM Linda ground the moral and strategic space to bolt and seek alternative partners. In politics, clarity is currency. Where there is none, mistrust grows.

For starters, ODM’s political infrastructure is naturally in competition with UDA. The two parties fish in overlapping waters. UDA would be reluctant to concede zones because it is not planning for 2027 alone. Its eyes are on 2032 and beyond. From that vantage point, weakening ODM through a no zoning posture is not accidental. It is strategic. Starve the partner today and inherit the territory tomorrow.

For ODM the calculus is different. Zoning everywhere except Nyanza would make political sense from their standpoint. Nyanza remains their bedrock and psychological anchor. That is where they should not have to worry about whether UDA fields candidates or not. Outside that fortress, negotiated space would preserve relevance and protect structures painstakingly built over years.

ODM’s window is small and it is closing fast. Once its grassroots base fully aligns with the President, disentangling them later will be difficult whether negotiations succeed or fail. Political loyalty that shifts in pursuit of power can also harden in defence of it. On the other hand, if ODM were to work with the opposite formation, it would likely maintain much of its national footprint without surrendering its identity. Yet the lure of a few positions in government clouds strategic judgment. History shows that junior partners without defined territory are eventually absorbed.

At present, the only visible strategic glue between UDA and ODM is numbers for UDA and access to government crumbs for ODM. That is not a durable philosophy. It is a temporary transaction.

Without zoning, there is no future in this partnership. There is only postponement of conflict.

There is more to come.

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Departure: Linda Ground and Linda Mwanainchi pulling apart as Oburu’s PG endorses sacking, UDA coalition

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By Anderson Ojwang

The dice is cast and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) could be witnessing imminent political departures by either the Linda Ground or the Linda Mwanainchi.

The battle lines have been drawn and every group is playing their cards close to the chest and making calculated and timely moves to outsmart one another.

Currently, the Linda Ground of the party leader Dr Oburu Oginga is riding high and calling the shots, but above and beneath the political surface, it is faced with unknown obstacles which may soon rear their ugly face and ground it to a halt.

While Linda Mwanainchi of Party Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, Embakasi MP Babu Owino and Siaya Governor James Orengo have received huge ratings from the masses, they are limping over lack of the party machinery. The faction did not attend Tuesday’s Parliamentary Group meeting and instead chose to condole with the family of Dikir MP Johana Ngemo.

At the PG, chaired by Oburu, a section of the Linda Mwanainchi group attended, in what could be viewed as a technical and tactical move as they plan to roll out the next course of their political agenda.

Oburu posted on his social media platform about the meeting and the various decisions the party arrived at.

“This afternoon I held an ODM Parliamentary Group meeting at Parliament Buildings. As a party we have officially resolved to commence pre-coalition negotiations with UDA.

Our primary focus will be championing the implementation of fundamental issues affecting Kenyans, specifically those outlined in the NADCO report.

Furthermore, we are committed to ensuring Parliament allocates the necessary budget to address these priorities, with a particular emphasis on compensating victims of demonstrations.”

And the Minority Leader in the Assembly Junet Mohammed read out the party resolutions, where it approved and upheld all the recent decisions taken by the Central Committee and the National Governing Council.

“We have held an ODM Party Joint Parliamentary Group Meeting presided over by Party Leader Hon. Dr Oburu Odinga, EGH, MP.

After frank deliberations, members approved and upheld all recent decisions taken by the Central Committee and the National Executive Committee,” he said.

The PG endorsed the decision by the emergency NEC meeting to install Hon. Dr Oburu Oginga as Party Leader and also the decision by the National Executive Committee to suspend Hon. Edwin Sifuna as Secretary General.

Junet said the PG endorsed the decision by the Central Committee to support the ongoing working arrangement between ODM and the UDA parties under the Broad-based Government arrangement, and supported the decision that mandated the party to engage in structured negotiations with UDA and any other like-minded party for purposes of forming a coalition ahead of the 2027 election.

“The PG approved the decision by the relevant party organs to pursue compensation for victims of past election-related human rights abuses, and that the PG undertook to work with partners and pursue alternative mechanisms for the matter to be acted on urgently and conclusively,” he said.

Junet said the PG endorsed the decision by the relevant party organs for the party to pull out of Azimio and the decision by the NEC to convene a Special National Delegates Convention on March 27, 2027.

“The PG agreed to hold a joint PG with the UDA next Tuesday at which the MPs will receive a briefing on the implementation status of the 10-point agenda, and mandated the Party Leader to begin internal processes, including modalities and representation for the upcoming coalition negotiations with the UDA Party and other like-minded parties,” he said.

But the Deputy Party Leader Godfrey Osotsi at the meeting said the party was at a critical crossroads that called for urgent address of internal divisions.

“I warned my colleagues that the party was meeting at a time when it is heavily divided, a situation I described as dangerous to its unity and future prospects.

I reminded members of party leader Raila Odinga’s famous words, “Who told you?”, urging colleagues to use the phrase as a rallying call for unity and resolve,” he said.

He challenged the party to adopt a bold political posture ahead of the next General Election, arguing that ODM is strong enough to field a presidential candidate instead of angling for the position of Deputy President.

“ODM is a national movement with a solid support base. We should not diminish ourselves by settling for lesser positions,” Osotsi said.

Osotsi raised concerns over the ten-point agenda signed in March last year between ODM and the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), noting that the agreement has not been implemented as expected.

He pointed out that the deadline for the implementation of the agenda is Saturday, March 7, 2026, cautioning proponents of the two-term narrative to be mindful of the timelines and commitments contained in the agreement.

Removal of Edwin Sifuna

Osotsi said the move to remove Sifuna was an attempt to sideline leaders with divergent views and was deepening divisions within the party.

He called for an urgent review of the decision, arguing that ODM has historically thrived on robust internal debate and tolerance of differing opinions.

“Silencing alternative voices weakens us. If we are to remain strong and united, we must accommodate diversity of thought and prioritize fairness,” Osotsi stated.

Orengo could plot a killer pass on the Oburu team, who he said has never been part of the struggle and the reason why Raila became the heir to the throne.

Silence in the Face of Political Threats Is Dangerous for Kenya’s Democracy

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Al Musasia

The recent threats of violence directed at Senator Edwin Sifuna and the Linda Mwananchi political movement should alarm anyone who cares about Kenya’s democratic future.

Statements attributed to Gaucho and the Governor of Migori warning the group not to step foot in Migori, along with similar threats from political actors in Mombasa and elsewhere, represent a deeply troubling attempt to intimidate political opponents and restrict their constitutional rights.

But perhaps even more troubling than the threats themselves is the silence of the national government.

When political leaders openly threaten violence or attempt to block fellow citizens from holding meetings in parts of the country, the expectation in a functioning democracy is that the government immediately condemns such actions and reassures the public that the law will prevail. Yet in this case, the silence from those responsible for maintaining law and order has been both noticeable and disturbing.

Kenya’s Constitution is clear. Every citizen has the right to move freely, assemble peacefully, and participate in political activities anywhere in the country. No county, town, or village belongs to a single political faction.

Threatening violence against political opponents is not political competition, it is an attack on democracy itself.

The continued failure by the government to rebuke these threats or take visible action against those making them risks sending the wrong message: that political intimidation is acceptable as long as it targets the “right” opponents.

This is precisely how political intolerance begins to take root.

The responsibility of government is to act as a neutral guarantor of the Constitution and public safety. It should not take sides, nor should it look the other way when threats are made against opposition leaders or political movements.

The Cabinet Secretary for Interior and the Principal Secretary responsible for internal security should make it clear that Kenya will not tolerate threats of violence against any political group and that anyone inciting violence will be held accountable.

Kenya’s democratic progress was built through years of struggle and sacrifice. Allowing intimidation and threats to dictate who can hold a meeting or where they can speak risks undoing those gains.

Political disagreements are normal in a democracy.
Threats of violence should never be.

The government’s silence on this matter is not just disappointing, it is dangerous.

Opande emerges as front runner for ODM county chair elections scheduled for this Friday

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By Kraus Osieko

Nyakach politician Jonathan Okoth Opande has emerged as a frontrunner in the race for the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) county chairperson seat in Kisumu, drawing strong backing from delegates across several sub-counties ahead of Friday’s vote.

With only two days to the election at the Tom Mboya Labour College, Opande’s supporters say the momentum on the ground clearly favours him as the party prepares to elect new county leadership.

His main challenger is Market Milimani Ward MCA Seth Kanga, setting up a contest that has stirred political interest across the county.

In Nyakach, Opande’s home turf, party officials have openly declared their support, describing him as a committed grassroots mobiliser who has consistently stood with members.

Nyakach ODM sub-branch chairman Cllr Charles Seko said delegates from the area have unanimously endorsed Opande for the seat.

“As Nyakach delegates, we have made our decision and we are standing firm,” Seko said.

“Opande is our son. He has stood with party members whenever we needed him and supported delegates whenever there was a challenge.”

Seko said Opande’s long-standing involvement in party activities and his readiness to respond to the needs of members have earned him trust among grassroots leaders.

“Leadership is about service and commitment.

His actions and dedication to the party speak for themselves. That is why we believe he is best suited to steer ODM in Kisumu County,” he added.

Beyond Nyakach, Opande has also reportedly made significant inroads in other sub-counties, including Kisumu East, an area considered politically strategic in the contest.

Delegates from across the county have cited his accessibility and consistent engagement as key factors influencing their support.

Popularly known as Mullah, Opande has in recent months increased his presence at community events across the county.

He recently attended a funds drive aimed at supporting labourers in Kisumu and was also present at a youth empowerment forum that brought together local leaders and national figures, including Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi.

Supporters argue that such engagements demonstrate his commitment to uplifting communities and strengthening party unity.

Many describe him as a philanthropist whose outreach initiatives have positively impacted residents across the county.
However, the race remains competitive.

Kanga, who serves as the MCA for Market Milimani Ward in Kisumu Central and also holds the position of branch chairman, continues to command support in parts of Kisumu Central.

His experience within party leadership structures has been cited by his backers as an asset in managing county affairs.

Kanga is also said to be eyeing the Kisumu East parliamentary seat in the 2027 general election, adding another dimension to the contest.

Political observers note that this ambition has generated debate among some delegates about his future political priorities.

Questions have also arisen regarding his status as a delegate, with discussions centring on whether he will participate as a representative from Kisumu Central, where he serves as MCA, or from Kisumu East, where he hails from.

The matter has reportedly created confusion among some party members as the election approaches.

Despite the undercurrents, both candidates are intensifying their final campaigns, seeking to consolidate support ahead of the decisive vote.

Delegates say the election will play a crucial role in shaping ODM’s strength and cohesion at the county level as the party prepares for future political contests.

As anticipation builds, all eyes are now on Friday’s gathering at the Tom Mboya Labour College, where delegates will determine who takes charge of ODM affairs in Kisumu County.

For Opande and his supporters, confidence remains high that the momentum built over recent weeks will translate into victory at the ballot.

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