By Anderson Ojwang

Kakamega County could be turning out to be the next battleground as President William Ruto held a consultative meeting with legislators from the county.

The meeting comes hot on the heels after the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) faction led by Secretary General Edwin Sifuna announced the Linda Mwananchi tour of Kakamega this Saturday.

After successful Busia and Kitengela Linda Mwananchi tours and emerging pressure from Kakamega, the team comprising Siaya Governor James Orengo, Babu Owino, Caroli Omondi, Geoffrey Osotsi, Caleb Amisi among others yielded to the demand for what is billed as the mother of all rallies.

It will mark the return of their son, after he was sacked by the ODM National Governing Council but got a reprieve from the Political Parties Tribunal Court.

The meeting of President Ruto with the legislators sent a mixed signal 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.”

And on President Ruto’s meeting with MPs from the county, Amisi asked whether the political pressure was increasing or decreasing on President Ruto.

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 the opportunity to defend himself.

“As a founder member of the Party, I have today made it clear that ODM must love 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 NEC unfair and unconstitutional,” he wrote on his Facebook handle.

Butere MP Tindi Mwale said the State House meeting was developmental in nature and was aimed at accelerating service delivery.

He wrote on his Facebook page, “Joined my colleagues, leaders from Kakamega County, in 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 programs in Kakamega, as well as strategies to accelerate transformation and strengthen service delivery in the region.”

The Linda Mwananchi tour comes at a time when the ODM county branch leadership is divided into two camps, with one led by Governor Ferdinand Barasa while the other is led by Nabii, who enjoys the support of Cabinet Secretary Wycliff Oparanya.

Recently, Oburu found himself in a delicate balancing act and, to save face, he juggled between the two parallel Linda Ground rallies in the county.

In a delicate balancing act, Oburu was forced to attend two parallel ODM delegates’ rallies in the county, one organized by Cabinet Secretary Wycliff Oparanya and his allies led by Lugari MP Nabii Nabwera, who claims the county chairmanship. This was at Mobole Primary School grounds in Butere Sub-County.

From Butere, Oburu found himself in Kakamega where Governor Ferdinand Barasa was holding a parallel Linda Ground delegates’ meeting.

Interestingly, Oparanya accompanied Oburu to the venue and left immediately before the Siaya Senator could introduce him to the crowd.

When Oburu spoke in Kakamega he said, “I was invited to Butere and I went to eat breakfast. But when I reached there I found people saying they were the bona fide delegates.

We spoke and addressed them because rightly they are our people. I was with Oparanya, can you see him around so that we can resolve this matter? Is Oparanya around? He left by chopper.

We want one Kakamega. I have spoken with Chairman Barasa. He has no problem and he wants a united Kakamega,” he said.

But Oparanya posted on his X handle, “I was honored to host the ODM Party Leader, Senator Dr. Oburu Oginga, alongside other national leaders, during the ODM delegates’ consultative forum held at Mabole Primary School grounds in Butere Sub-County, Kakamega County.

The consultative forum brought together party leadership and delegates for open engagement, reflection, and dialogue on issues that matter to the people and the future of inclusive development.”

But Busia Governor Dr. Paul Otuoma, when he took the podium, moved straight to the county party leadership, saying Governor Barasa was the duly recognized party chairman.

“The chairman of Kakamega County ODM is Governor Ferdinand Barasa. You can see we have the party’s Executive Director, Mr. Odiwuor Ongwen, Deputy Party Leader Kisii Governor Simba Arati, Director of Elections Mr. Junet Mohammed and the party National Chairman Governor Gladys Wanga. This makes it clear who the party chairman is,” he said.

ODM Director of Elections Junet Mohammed declared that according to the records with the Elections Board, Barasa was the Kakamega County ODM chairman.

“I want to make a clarification on behalf of the party. ODM, I am the Director of Elections. In the ODM books, the chairman is Ferdinand Barasa. That is the position. I know there is a dispute but it will be listened to,” he said.

He said the matter was discussed at the party’s Central Committee and resolved that Barasa was the chairman.

“Those on the other side are also ODM members. They are our people. We must run the party from a true position. This matter was discussed in the Central Committee and it was resolved that the Elections Board had declared Barasa as the chairman,” he said.

Oparanya lamented how the insatiable love for money was destroying the party and going against the grain and principles of the founder leader, the late Raila Amolo Odinga.

“First I want to tell Kenyans, we are ODM members and we will remain in ODM.

Lakini nikiona ile inaendela kwa ODM na mimi nimekuwa karibu sana na mheshimiwa Marehemu Raila Amolo Odinga (When I see what is currently happening in ODM party, I was very close to the late Raila Amolo Odinga),” he said.

Kakamega Linda Mwananchi will be a defining moment in Luhya politics as we head to the next general elections.

By Anderson Ojwang

The battle over the post of Deputy President in President William Ruto’s re-election campaign took a new turn after his principal assistant, Prof Abraham Kithure Kindiki, moved to set the record straight by stating, “I am the Deputy President of Kenya, and do not panic.”

Kindiki also said he has his eyes set on the presidency in the future and that he is the second in command in the country.

“I have heard that there are some people who have caused panic among you here. I want to ask you—you know I am the second in command in the government. I want to tell you to relax. I am the Deputy President of Kenya.”

Kindiki said the post of Deputy President was going nowhere and that he would be the running mate of President William Ruto in the 2027 General Election.

“And there is nowhere the seat is going. From Deputy President, there is no turning back but moving ahead. Those whom you hear speak, do not panic. We are the architects of politics. If you look at me, do you think I can be intimidated by people?” he said.

The Deputy President said he has been in politics for a long time and understands political timing better.

“I have been in politics for a long time. A great politician knows when to speak and when to be quiet. He knows the day of work and the day of politics. If you are a foolish politician who talks every day, what will help us as your leaders is not politicking and rallies but development,” he said.

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Dr Oburu Oginga has been flip-flopping over the slot in the proposed ODM and UDA pre-election coalition pact.

Recently, during the ODM National Executive Council (NEC), Oburu said ODM will demand the Deputy President slot in the negotiations.

He denied having said the party would not negotiate for the Deputy President slot and said he was misquoted.

“There is something people misinterpreted. They said that I said ODM doesn’t want the seat of the Deputy President. It is the seat of the Deputy President we are eyeing. That is what we are eyeing,” he said.

Oburu said they do not have any problem with Deputy President Prof Abraham Kithure Kindiki on a personal level, but that the seat is a public office.

However, last week while in Kisumu, Oburu said before President William Ruto and his deputy, Prof Abraham Kithure Kindiki, that ODM was not eyeing the Deputy President slot.

“Deputy President, do not think we want your seat and that we want to chase you away. No.

Please, you are our friend, but as we negotiate, we are going to negotiate what our people deserve and what our party deserves. ODM is not a Luo party but a national party. We will negotiate fairly; we are not going to take anybody’s share. Everybody will get their fair share,” he said.

Oburu said he will lead ODM during the negotiations and promised to lead the party to Canaan through Singapore.

“I am leading ODM. When you follow flies, they will take you to the pit latrine, and when you follow bees, you will get to the honey.

We are in talks with UDA. We are going to make sure that we have more than what we currently have.

You can already see we managed to get for you these good ministries. We have Energy headed by Opiyo Wandayi and Finance, which is the heart of the government, led by John Mbadi. Even Alego MP Sam Atandi is the chairman of the Budget Committee,” he said.

But leaders from Mt Kenya loyal to the broad-based government have dismissed ODM’s ambitions, terming the proposal a non-starter.

The Mt Kenya leaders said the number two position is non-negotiable.

Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki said: “As much as we are in a broad-based government, the seat of the Deputy President is non-negotiable. That is a dream. ODM’s numbers cannot match what we have on this side.”

Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku added: “If ODM wants the Deputy President’s seat, we can discuss that in 2032 when Kindiki becomes President. For now, the seat is not vacant.”

Kiambaa MP Njuguna Kawanjiku said: “Waende juu, waende chini, hatuwachilii. Kama kuna kitu inaweza fanya tutoke kwa hii serikali na hiyo muungano, ni kiti ya namba mbili… tunaambia ODM warelax (Wherever they go, high or low, if there is anything that can make us leave the government, it is the Deputy President’s post. We ask ODM to relax).”

Thika MP Alice Ng’ang’a chimed in: “Naibu wa Rais, usiku na mchana, ni Kithure Kindiki… non-negotiable!”

Last year, during a TV interview, Oburu said ODM will not accept any position lower than that of Deputy President in any pre-election coalition ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Oburu then maintained that the party will only negotiate for top positions from a position of strength, not desperation.

“If we have to go for a lower position, it must not be lower than number two (Deputy President) in any formation. That is my take. We should not take less than that,” he said.

Oginga said ODM’s priority is to rebuild and unite its grassroots base to retain influence in national politics.

“I want my people of ODM to strengthen ODM as a party. If we start talking about the position we will occupy there, we will get nothing,” he said.

“Nobody will respect you or negotiate with you if you are a weak party. Our emphasis is on strengthening ODM so that we can negotiate for the top position in the land.”

A section of ODM leaders from the Coastal region, during Raila Odinga’s posthumous birthday, declared that their irreducible minimum was the Deputy President slot in 2027 in support of President Ruto.

The leaders proposed Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho for the Deputy President post.

By Anderson Ojwang

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader, Dr Oburu Oginga, on Sunday tasted the bitter pills of realpolitik after he finally walked out from the shadows of his younger brother, the late Raila Amolo Odinga.

In what was viewed as a battle of the masses between Oburu and his team against Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, the former were outsmarted, outwitted, outshone, and outnumbered by Sifuna’s faction, comprising Babu Owino, James Orengo, Omondi Caroli, Geoffrey Osotsi, among others.

It was a defining moment for the two warring factions as Sifuna’s venue in Kitengela was organic, electric, charged, and packed with hundreds of supporters.

At Tononoka Grounds in Mombasa, the home ground of ODM, it was a poor show, with a minimal crowd attending the Linda Ground rally. This was in contrast to previous functions held by the late enigma at the ground, which used to teem with a sea of humanity—organic and electric.

In Kitengela, the spirit of Raila Odinga descended at the venue, with speakers one after another and the crowd in consonance chanting: “Raila ako hapa sio Mombasa” (Raila’s spirit is here and not in Mombasa) before breaking into the song “Bado Mapambano, Mapambano.”

As was often the case with Raila’s functions in his heydays under successive regimes—where his rallies were laced and punctuated with teargas—Sifuna’s team suffered the same consequences.

Police lobbed teargas into the crowd, forcing supporters to respond by engaging security officers in running battles, leading to the abrupt closure of business premises while several people were injured.

In Mombasa, Oburu said they would not allow people to pull them back after the party mandated him to embark on negotiations with President William Ruto’s UDA.

“I have made my shoes and I have started to walk, so I cannot fall. I want to tell you Raila left us in a broad-based arrangement. I have been mandated by the party to negotiate with President Ruto. I am soon forming a strong team from ODM to lead the negotiations.

We are not going to allow people to pull us backward. Things will not fall apart,” he said.

Babu said yesterday marked an important moment in the party and defined the two factions.

“Today they have the party, but we have the party members. When they go to State House, do they tell you? They go alone. They are trying to threaten us, but they cannot manage us,” he said.

Orengo said the genuine ODM members were in Kitengela and that those in Mombasa should refund President Ruto his money.

“Watu wa ODM ambao wako Mombasa warudishie Ruto pesa zake (Those ODM members in Mombasa should refund Ruto his money). ODM members and leaders are here in Kitengela,” he said.

Oburu said there were currently some disciplinary issues in the party and that the minority must accept the decision of the majority.

“In ODM, as you all know, we have some disciplinary issues within us because we believe that a political party is like a club. It must have some discipline, and democracy doesn’t mean chaos but order.

If you are in the minority and you are defeated, you keep your tail under you and you don’t go out and start talking as if you are the king,” he said.

Sifuna responded that as of February 15, 2026, he was still the Secretary General of ODM.

“Kitengela hoyee, can you see me better? Because of your prayers and the love of God, I stand here in Kitengela as the Secretary General of ODM,” he said.

In Mombasa, Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohammed accused the Sifuna faction of affiliating with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

He said the Mombasa meeting was purely ODM, unlike the Kitengela one, which he said was attended by political leaders from Jubilee, DCP, Wiper, and other parties.

“If they have decided to work with Wamunyoro, let them go. They should not bring division to the people of ODM. We want to work in line with the ODM constitution under the leadership of Dr Oburu Oginga.

The Central Committee mandated us to engage in pre-election coalition talks, and we are starting with UDA. We ask our colleagues to tell us about their plan.

Do you want development or demonstrations?” he said.

He criticised Siaya Governor James Orengo for specialising in the politics of demonstrations and failing to offer development to the people of Siaya.

“Siaya Governor James Orengo only understands the politics of demonstrations. Siaya people have no employment and development, and they have not benefitted from devolution. His only work is to take ODM to the streets.

We don’t fear you, and you cannot intimidate us. We have been in politics, and we have been mentored by Raila,” he said.

But Babu Owino said the fruits of demonstrations cannot be downplayed and that their contribution to a better Kenya is well documented.

Recently, the ODM NEC sacked Sifuna as Secretary General, but the Tribunal Court gave him a reprieve.

Sifuna found solidarity in Raila’s daughter, Winnie Odinga, who wrote on her Facebook page: “It is not well.”

“Every day they say they don’t want demos. Let me ask: how did we chase away the colonialists? What brought multipartyism, the new Constitution, and what brought the broad-based government?” he said.

By Anderson Ojwang

In the 2005 constitutional referendum, the battle was christened as Mt Kenya against the rest of the country and subsequently then President Mwai Kibaki suffered a humiliating defeat.

The Banana wing of President Kibaki which supported the Wako Draft constitution were humbled by the late Raila Odinga, Kalonzo Musyoka, Uhuru Kenyatta, Musalia Mudavadi and William Ruto Orange led wing of the anti-draft.

The Orange morphed into the Orange Democratic Movement(ODM) while Uhuru returned to the Mt Kenya fold to support President Kibaki re-election.

Another election with a combine force of Raila and Kalonzo was a tyranny of numbers and the decision by Kalonzo to run alone gave President Kibaki opportunity to ‘sneak’ in for a second term in what culminated into post-election violence and subsequent coalition government with Raila as the prime minister.

With the 2027 Presidential election just 17 months, it is emerging and getting clearer that Mt Kenya under DCP party leader Rigathi Gachagua and Kamba through Kalonzo have already built a political alliance for the general elections.

This alliance is a formidable force and creates tyranny of numbers which could easily ride to victory in presidential contest . On paper and constant, the duo would start at strength of 7,902,732 heading to the presidential election in terms of registered voters in the two regions.

In the last general election President William Ruto received 7,176,141 against the late Raila Amolo Odinga with 6,942,930 to win the presidency..

Interestingly, in the last general election Mt Kenya community had 4,168,414 vote cast while the Kamba community had 1,036,837.

From the above data, a Gema candidate would start at 5,205,251 votes against any opponent and they would only require few regions or community to easily sail to victory.

In analyzing the 2022 Presidential elections and the 2019 population census provide an interesting scenario ahead of the 2027 general elections and a paddle for a winning coalition arrangement.

The Mt Kenya population from its nine counties of Kiambu, Meru, Kirinyaga, Nyeri, Embu, Tharaka Nthi ,Nyandarua, Laikipia, Muranga,and the Diaspora Nakuru and Nairobi gives a total population of 11,840746 against grand total population of 47,584,454.2,034,584 did not vote.

Mt Kenya have a registered voters of 6,202,998 with a voter turnout of 67.2 percent which translated to 4,168,414 votes cast in the last general election.

The Mt Kenya community population accounts for 24 percent of the country’s population and the percentage registration with in independent electoral and boundary commission stands at 28 percent and in the general election the high voter turnout against low turnout from other regions of the country gives them 32.35 percent of the votes cast as per the last general elections.

In the breakdown of the data to individual county in Mt Kenya, Kiambu accounts for 2,41735 in population which accounts for five percent of the country’s population with a registered voters of 1,275,008. In the 2022 general election the voter turn out was 65 percent with 828,755 turning out to vote while 446,253 did not vote.

In Meru county with a population of 1,546,714 which accounts for three percent of the national population with registered voters of 772,136 with 66 percent voter turnout.

In Kirinyaga county with a population of 610,411 which accounts for one percent of the country’s population with registered voters of 376,001 with a voter turnout of 70 percent. In the last general election 263,200 voted while 112,801 did not vote.

In Nyeri county with a population 759,184, which accounts for two percent of the country’s population with a registered voters of 481,652 and turnout of 68 percent. This accounts for 327,523 people who voted while 154,329 did not vote.

In Muranga county with a population of 1,056,640 accounts for two percent of the country’s population with a registered voter o 620,626 and 68 percent voter turnout. Which translates to 422,025 votes while 198,601 did not vote.

In Tharaka Nthi county with a population 393,177 and accounts for one percent of the national population with a registered voters of 231,932 while 70 percent voter turnout. This translates to 162,352 votes cast while 69,580 did not vote.

In Embu county with a population of 608,599 which accounts for accounts for one percent of the country’s population with a registered voters of 334,302 and 67 percent voter turnout. This translates to 223,982 votes cast while 110,320 did not vote.

In Nyandarua county with a population of 638,289 which accounts for one percent of the national population with a registered voters of 361,165 with a turnout of 67 percent. This translates into 241,979 votes cast while 119,184 did not vote,.

In Laikipia county with a population of 518,560 which accounts for one percent of the national population with a registered voters of 263,012 with a voter turnout of 65 percent. This translates to 170,957 votes cast while 92,055 did not vote.

From the diaspora, Nakuru county, Mt Kenya community boasts of 91.9 percent of the total population which , 1,967,128 which accounts for four percent of the national population with a registered voters of 984,195 and a voter turnout of 67 percent. This translates to 659,410 votes casted while 324,785 did not vote.

In Nairobi county, the Mt Kenya population stands at 22 percent of the total population which comes to 1,005,220 and accounts for two percent of the national population, with a registered voters of 582,583 and a voter turnout of 65 percent. This translates to 378,679 votes cast while 203,904 did not vote.

The Kamba community its made up of three counties namely Machakos, Makueni and Kitui with a national population of ,3,346,772 which accounts for seven percent of the national population and a registered voter of 1,699,734, a voter turn out of 61 percent, which accounts for 8 percent of the national registration with a vote power of 10.2 percent.

In Makeni county, with a population of 987,653 which accounts for two percent of the national population with a registered voters of 479,401 and voter turn out of 61 percent accounting for 292,434 votes cast while 186,967 did not vote.

In Machakos County with a population of 1,422,952 which accounts for three percent of the national population with registered voter of 687,555 and voter turnout of 60 percent. This translates to 412,533 votes cast while 275,022 did not vote

In Kitui county with a population of 1,136,187 of the national population which accounts for the national population with registered vote of 532,578 and voter turnout at 62 percent. This translates to 330,198 votes cast while 202,380 did not vote.

From the above data, the presidential contest is likely to be intriguing and grueling in nature, more realignments are likely to be witnessed as we head to the elections.