HOMA BAY, Kenya — Homa Bay Governor and Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) chairperson Gladys Wanga has criticised unnamed political leaders for turning their rural homes into centres of political activity, saying the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga never used his Bondo home to host political delegations.
Wanga said national leaders should either establish political command centres in Nairobi or travel across the country to engage citizens directly rather than expecting delegations to travel to their rural homes.
She made the remarks on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, while addressing ODM grassroots leaders from Narok.
“There is no day Raila invited delegations to his Bondo home like some leaders are doing now,” Wanga said.
Her comments appeared to contrast Raila’s political style with the recent practice by some opposition figures of receiving delegations at their rural homes as they build political networks ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Wanga calls for leaders to go to the people
Wanga argued that national leadership requires politicians to interact directly with citizens across the country and understand the challenges affecting different communities.
She said leaders should not wait for residents to travel long distances to their rural homes seeking political engagement or assistance.
According to the ODM chairperson, a national leader should have a political headquarters in Nairobi, which she described as the country’s central point, while maintaining regular engagement with people in different parts of Kenya.
Her remarks reflect an argument over how political influence should be organised as parties and leaders position themselves ahead of the 2027 elections.
Criticism of political delegations
Wanga also criticised the practice of residents travelling to politicians’ rural homes carrying gifts such as goats and cows.
She argued that political leadership should be about taking support and resources to communities rather than creating a culture where citizens feel compelled to visit leaders with gifts.
She said such practices should not be presented as evidence of effective national leadership.
Instead, Wanga maintained that leaders should travel to communities, listen to residents and understand their circumstances firsthand.
Her comments were directed at an emerging political culture in which rural homes belonging to prominent politicians have increasingly become venues for meetings involving delegations from different parts of the country.
Gachagua’s Wamunyoro meetings
Wanga’s remarks come days after former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua hosted political delegations at his Wamunyoro home during a 45-day political conclave.
Gachagua has positioned Wamunyoro as a significant political meeting point for the Mt Kenya region, describing it as a new political home for discussions and decisions affecting the region.
He has compared the role of Wamunyoro with previous political meeting venues such as Kirigiti and Limuru, which have historically hosted major gatherings involving leaders and residents from the region.
The meetings at Wamunyoro have attracted delegations from different parts of the country as Gachagua works to consolidate his political base ahead of the 2027 elections.
Gachagua defends gift-giving tradition
Gachagua has also spoken about the practice of visitors bringing food and other gifts to his rural home.
He has said he does not buy anything, including food, at Wamunyoro, arguing that people who visit him are the ones who bring such items.
That position contrasts with Wanga’s criticism of the practice.
While Wanga sees the movement of delegations to rural homes as inconsistent with effective national leadership, Gachagua has presented Wamunyoro’s gatherings as part of his engagement with the Mt Kenya region and the wider political community.
