By Anderson Ojwang
They say he who laughs last laughs best, and that was aptly and simply captured in the mood at the first anniversary of the enigma, the late Raila Amolo Odinga, in Bondo.
Words and actions spoke loudly, with the two protagonists, former President Uhuru Kenyatta and his successor, President William Ruto, opting not to attend but positioning their allies for a first face-off ahead of the 2027 presidential elections.
After weeks of sparring, Raila’s anniversary provided the two protagonists with the opportunity to unglove and punch, and indeed, punches flew and casualties emerged.
At the historical Migwena grounds, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and the Broad-Based Coalition alliance were overrun, overturned and deflated by the Linda Mwananchi group.
The usual bravado, chest-thumping and declarations by the Broad-Based Coalition over Nyanza as their territory were erased, with the opposition dictating and controlling the agenda and the rhythm.
Unlike at the burial of the enigma in Bondo last year, where the Broad-Based Coalition, led by President William Ruto and the party leader, Dr Oburu Oginga, dictated the terms and left the group and the opposition looking from afar, the anniversary was the converse.
At the burial, Ruto kept his promise that he would not allow ODM to fall into the hands of opponents and detractors and finally witnessed the sacking of the Secretary-General, Edwin Sifuna.
Oburu and other party national officials were confirmed as the bona fide office-holders by the Special National Delegates Conference, while Sifuna, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino and Siaya Governor James Orengo, among others, were shoved into the dustbin.
But they founded Linda Mwananchi, which has gained huge traction and catapulted Sifuna into the ranks of potential and leading presidential candidates in the 2027 general election.
Table turned
At the first anniversary, the tables turned, with Linda Mwananchi emerging as the dominant force and enjoying massive support, while the ODM officials, led by Deputy Party Leader Simba Arati and Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi, were overshadowed at the event.
The roar and the crowd belonged to Linda Mwananchi, and the brigade had a field day, dictating terms and enjoying the moment while the crowd was in a frenzy.
For Sifuna, it was a statement of trust and love from the audience, a rare moment when he reconnected with the spirit of his mentor and political maker.
Scattered
For the Broad-Based Coalition alliance members who had turned up for the celebrations, the experience was a dispersal into the wind, and some left even before the programme reached its climax.
Some of the top ODM leaders gave the event a wide berth, fearing the possible aftermath of a crowd that, by design, was predominantly one-term in the making.
Leading the team that shied away were ODM National Chairperson Gladys Wanga, Finance Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi, Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o, his Migori counterpart Ochilo Ayacko and several MPs allied to the Broad-Based Coalition.
A source told the writer that senior party officials made calls to members, asking them to avoid the event and terming it a programme organised by Uhuru Kenyatta and his opposition allies.
Brave the storm
Wandayi and Arati braved the storm and the hostility to market the tutam slogan and sell the Broad-Based Coalition policies at the celebrations.
Wandayi said, “First, I have the greetings of President William Ruto. Baba left us in the Broad-Based Coalition, and we thank President Ruto for honouring Raila. Let’s thank Ruto.
“Our region has been marginalised for decades, but Ruto has reversed it. You, the opposition, have a huge challenge, and you will not defeat Ruto. Here in Siaya, we are ODM; my bedroom of Siaya will lead in supporting Ruto’s re-election,” he said.
Arati braved the heat and maintained that the region belonged to ODM, asking members not to leave the party.
“Let me see if I have ODM members here; wave in the air. We are in ODM. Don’t bring confusion. Raila left us in ODM. I kindly request, as the Deputy Party Leader, that you do not leave Raila’s house. Those who want to leave, do not leave. Come back and we will make the party. But if you have been bought by the sponsor, go away with him,” he said.
Linda capture
Orengo had a field day, turned the tables and took charge of the programme, having played a minimal role in previous ones.
A bellicose Orengo declared that the one-term mantra was unstoppable, and the message was clear.
“You can see from the mood. It is one term. These people of tutam have disturbed us for a long time. Today is the day,” he thundered.
Orengo spoke of a strong presence of the Linda Mwananchi brigade at the function and said it had captured the day.
“We have a big team for Linda Mwananchi, including Babu Owino and Edwin Sifuna, among others. We are here to make a statement today,” he said.
Sifuna said Linda Mwananchi had attended the function at the invitation of the family and felt honoured.
“I have come to say thank you and to honour Raila. We were invited by the family for this noble and historic function. I have come with one message: to say thank you to Baba Raila Odinga for his mentorship,” he said.
The vacuum
The absence of the ailing ODM party leader, Dr Oburu Oginga, left a huge vacuum and exposed his lieutenants as neophytes who could not be relied upon to battle their opponents.
Without Oburu, the coalition’s catalysing effect is diminished, and the other brigades are lightweight and may chicken out in the storm.
Come back
President Ruto must now make a comeback to undo what Linda Mwananchi achieved at the anniversary.
It is crystal clear: it is Ruto versus Sifuna for Nyanza, and who will blink first?
