ODM national chairperson Gladys Wanga has moved to counter the imminent Linda Mwananchi rally scheduled for Sunday in Homa Bay County.
Wanga, together with allied members of the party, has camped in Suba South Constituency, the home turf of MP Caroli Omondi, to urge residents to ignore the ODM ‘rebels’ when they hold their rally.
The pro-broad-based government politicians are expected to hold similar rallies in the other seven constituencies in Homa Bay.
Suba South MP Caroli Omondi has met with some residents in preparation for welcoming the Linda Mwananchi team to Homa Bay.
Siaya Governor James Orengo, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino and Omondi have alleged that there are plans to disrupt their meeting.
Omondi hosted some of his voters earlier in the week and called on them to ensure President William Ruto does not remain in office after 2027.
Wanga countered this when she visited the constituency on Wednesday.
She accused Omondi of abandoning the ideologies of ODM despite being elected on the party ticket.
Wanga said she once tried in vain to engage the MP on how his constituency could be developed, considering that it is one of the most marginalised regions in Nyanza.
“ODM had agreed to work with the government following the formation of the broad-based government, and it found your MP Omondi closer to President Ruto. Omondi refused afterwards,” Wanga said.
Speaking at Nyakiamo Stadium in Sindo, Wanga said it should have been a good opportunity for leaders in Homa Bay to work together, considering that Omondi had taken the lead in supporting the government.
The governor said she was surprised when the MP decided to oppose the same government he had earlier supported.
“We thought Omondi would work with us as Homa Bay leaders to support the appointment of Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi. Leaders agreed to end all their personal differences except Omondi,” she said.
The governor said despite Omondi’s absence from broad-based engagements, Suba South continues to witness significant transformation through infrastructural development.
“Never listen to Omondi and the Linda Mwananchi team because they don’t have an agenda. They are coming to Homa Bay to use infrastructure being financed by the government and claim that the national leadership has failed,” the ODM chairperson said.
She told voters in Suba not to associate with any political party that Omondi would use to defend his seat.
Omondi has announced that he will leave ODM ahead of next year’s election.
The governor also drummed up support for President Ruto’s re-election.
“President Ruto has demonstrated good leadership and willingness to develop the country equally. He deserves to be re-elected for a second term,” Wanga said.
She added that the Kenya Kwanza administration had made history by allocating money for development in the region, which she said had been forgotten.
“President Ruto made history when he had his first trip to Suba. Thereafter, the region started witnessing development,” Wanga said.
She said ODM had no intention of abandoning its ties with UDA, adding that their collaboration had contributed to economic growth in Nyanza.
The governor was joined by Suba South parliamentary aspirants Lucy Manyala and Bernard Odhuno, who accused Omondi of trying to divide the people of Suba.
Kaksingri West MCA aspirant Leonard Ogutu told Omondi to focus on his work and avoid politicking.
“Suba South people need development projects their MP Omondi promised them. We don’t want unwarranted politics in Suba South,” Ogutu said.
