NAIROBI, Kenya- Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga has hailed residents of Kisumu for what she described as a powerful show of democratic maturity, following a massive rally by the Linda Mwananchi faction of the Orange Democratic Movement.
Thousands of residents thronged the lakeside city on Sunday, turning up in large numbers despite days of heightened political tension and alleged attempts to block the gathering.
In a statement released shortly after the rally, Odinga thanked Kisumu residents for maintaining peace and order, even as political undercurrents threatened to derail the event.
“To the people of Kisumu, I say a heartfelt thank you. Today, you demonstrated to the world that Kisumu remains a bastion of peace and democratic maturity,” she said.
The rally, organised by the Linda Mwananchi faction — a splinter group within ODM — was seen as a significant show of grassroots strength, drawing supporters from across the county and beyond.
But even as the crowd swelled, Odinga revealed that the event had not been without its challenges.
She accused unnamed leaders of attempting to sabotage the meeting, alleging that some went as far as mobilising and funding sections of the youth to cause chaos.
“It is a matter of public record that certain leaders attempted to block this meeting, going as far as mobilising and funding a section of our youth to disrupt the rally,” she said.
Those efforts, however, did not succeed.
“Fortunately, their attempts backfired. You saw through these tactics and refused to be used as pawns in a game of political sabotage,” she added.
In a sharp rebuke of what she termed as outdated political practices, the Woman Representative warned against the continued use of money and influence to manipulate young people.
“The days of treating our youth as ‘hired muscles’ or commodities to be bought for a few coins are over. Politics of the pocket is a direct insult to the intelligence of our voters and a threat to democracy,” she said.
Odinga also anchored her remarks on constitutional principles, stressing that the right to assemble and move freely cannot be curtailed by political interests.
“The freedoms of movement and association are not favors granted by individuals; they are sacred rights enshrined in our Bill of Rights,” she noted.
She concluded with a call for issue-based leadership, urging politicians to win support through ideas rather than intimidation.
“True leaders win hearts and minds through dialogue and ideas, not through intimidation or the exploitation of our young people,” she said.
The peaceful and massive turnout is likely to deepen political conversations within ODM, while reinforcing Kisumu’s reputation as a key battleground shaped as much by numbers as by restraint.
