“This is a tsunami, this is a people’s movement ,we come in peace and preach the language of peace.”
KISUMU, 24th April 2026 -Siaya Governor James Orengo has assured Linda Mwananchi supporters that the movement’s scheduled weekend rallies in Vihiga and Kisumu Counties will proceed peacefully without any interference.
Addressing the media on Friday evening at the Kisumu International Airport, he allayed fears by warning that, “It will be difficult for anybody to stop any of these rallies either in Vihiga or in Kisumu.”
Orengo added that: “If you try you will see something you have never seen in your life because this is a tsunami, this is a people’s movement and we come in peace and we preach the language of peace.”
He explained that the mega rally in Kisumu on Sunday 26th April, will be like a homecoming, as this is the land of the late doyens of opposition politics such as Jaramogi Oginga Odinga and Raila Odinga, and the land of Tom Mboya.
Social Democracy
In Kisumu, he clarified that they are going to have a church prayer in the morning and later proceed to the Kowuor grounds near the Carwash area.
“We will have one of the most successful rallies ever held in Kisumu since the demise of Raila. I also want to make it very clear that Linda Mwananchi is a caucus, a group and a movement within the ODM party that should be well understood,” Orengo clarified.
He added that the entire leadership of Linda Mwananchi brigades will grace the two events. Orengo also espoused the ideals and philosophies of Linda Mwananchi as those anchored on a strong belief in Raila, what the ODM party stood for -which includes defending the people and fighting for the people’s rights.
“To fight based on the social democratic principles of the ODM, protect our Bill of Rights, protect and defend our Bill of Rights. That is the true spirit of ODM,” he remarked.
Orengo expressed his disdain with the ODM top brass led by party leader Oburu Oginga for having visited State House on Thursday April 23rd to discuss and iron out the inter-party differences.
According to Orengo, Raila in his entire life never took the leadership of ODM to the State House to discuss matters of concern or a relationship with a partnership between the two parties.
“As you saw yesterday in the State House what appears to be a conclusion that these people have swallowed the party called ODM. Wanajaribu kuimeza, lakini hawata weza kuimeza, sisi hatutakubali (some of us will not allow them),” he stressed.
Orengo also decried that the meeting held at the House on the Hill elevated the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) to a superior level: “It meant that political hegemony is with the UDA party, but, it is not because ODM is the largest party in the country.”
Party Zoning
He further lamented over the issue of discussing zoning and ODM strongholds in the State House. Zoning, he added, is coming about because we have weaklings as leaders of the party.
“They want to rest in their comfort zones. Political parties gain their strength and reach by working hard,” he advised.
Orengo called upon those in ODM who remain steadfast, on the path of truth, constitutionalism, the things that Raila fought for and that remain as defenders of the people to come and join them.
“So that we can make ODM great again and certainly so,” he urged.
