- ODM leaders accused Rigathi Gachagua of promoting ethnic politics ahead of the 2027 General Election.
- Gladys Wanga said ODM rejects politics based on tribal numbers and exclusion.
- John Mbadi argued that leadership should be national and not tied to one community.
- Peter Kaluma claimed President William Ruto will continue enjoying strong support in Mt Kenya.
- ODM leaders urged Nyanza residents to register as voters and reject political violence.
ODM leaders have intensified their criticism of Democracy for the Citizens Party leader Rigathi Gachagua, accusing him of promoting ethnic politics as the country prepares for the 2027 General Election. The leaders spoke during a boda boda empowerment event in Ndhiwa Constituency, Homa Bay County, where they warned that tribal rhetoric could deepen political divisions.
The ODM officials said Kenya should focus on issue-based politics rather than competition among communities. They argued that repeated references to ethnic voting strength undermine national unity and distract from development priorities.
ODM National Chairperson Gladys Wanga said the party would not support leaders who build political careers around tribal numbers. She maintained that ODM’s identity is rooted in inclusion and equal opportunity for all Kenyans.
Wanga also cautioned party members against associating ODM with what she described as divisive politics. According to her, the movement cannot embrace leaders who speak in terms of big and small tribes.
Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi criticised political messaging that emphasises the numerical strength of one community. He said the presidency is a national office that should be sought through broad support across the country.
Mbadi added that every community in Kenya has capable leaders who can aspire to the highest office. He questioned the idea that leadership should be determined by the size of an ethnic bloc rather than the ability to unite the country.
The ODM leaders also condemned recent remarks allegedly directed at leaders from the Kisii, Luo and Somali communities. They said national leaders should avoid statements that can be interpreted as discriminatory or inflammatory.
Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma used the event to defend President William Ruto’s re-election prospects. He argued that Gachagua would not significantly reduce Ruto’s support in the Mt Kenya region and predicted the president would still receive millions of votes from the area.
Kaluma urged ODM supporters to focus on voter mobilisation and political organisation instead of engaging in ethnic confrontations. He said the next election would be won through grassroots support and strong turnout.
The party leaders also defended ODM’s engagement with the Kenya Kwanza administration. Wanga said discussions with the ruling coalition were not only about positions in government but also about policies that ODM has championed over the years, including inclusion and fair representation.
She insisted that those principles explain why ODM cannot align itself with Gachagua’s political approach. The leaders maintained that any cooperation must be based on policy and national interest rather than tribal calculations.
ODM leaders urged residents of Nyanza to reject political violence and what they described as the culture of goons in politics. They called on eligible voters to register in large numbers ahead of the 2027 General Election, saying participation would strengthen the region’s voice in national affairs.
Elsewhere, Cooperatives Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya and Acting ODM Secretary General Catherine Omanyo were in Busia County campaigning for support for President Ruto’s re-election bid. Their visit formed part of a wider mobilisation effort by ODM leaders supporting continued engagement with the Kenya Kwanza administration.
