A high-powered rally of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) in Siaya ended in dramatic fashion on Saturday after a sudden fracas erupted at the tail end of the event, cutting short what had otherwise been a carefully choreographed show of party strength.
The disturbance broke out behind the VIP dais just moments after senior leaders had delivered their speeches and as party leader Oburu Oginga was expected to take the microphone. The disruption immediately sparked speculation about simmering internal tensions within the party’s Siaya ranks.
Sources close to the dais attributed the chaos to unclear triggers but suggested underlying political rivalries may have played a role. Attention quickly turned to the prominent placement of Siaya Deputy Governor William Oduol Denge, who sat in the front row beside Cabinet Secretary Ali Hassan Joho and was allowed to speak last — a privilege traditionally associated with a county governor.
Insiders said some aspirants eyeing the Siaya gubernatorial seat viewed the move as implicit recognition of Oduol’s standing within the party, potentially fueling quiet discontent. Others blamed alleged goons said to be sympathetic to the absent Siaya Governor James Orengo, who was attending a parallel ODM-linked gathering in Kakamega dubbed Linda Ground.
The rally itself had increasingly taken on the tone of a political broadside against Orengo. Speaker after speaker accused the governor of double-speak and of delivering minimal development in Siaya while positioning himself as a national political activist.
Migori Governor Ochilo Ayacko, former Siaya Governor Cornel Rasanga, Sugar Board Authority chair Nicholas Gumbo, and Busia Governor Paul Otuoma were among leaders who openly criticized Orengo’s posture.
National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed used the platform to urge caution regarding the evolving détente between ODM and President William Ruto’s administration.
“Before we sing Tutam, we should ask what is in the agreement for us,” Junet cautioned, urging the party to ensure its interests are clearly secured. He revealed that engagement with the government had already yielded progress, including an agreement to set aside KES 20 million to compensate victims of the 2024–2025 police brutality incidents linked to the anti-Finance Bill protests.
In a fiery intervention, Joho accused Orengo of historically undermining party unity, recalling divisions that followed the death of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga. He maintained that ODM remained resilient despite internal turbulence and expressed confidence in the party’s future strength — even hinting at his own presidential ambitions under the ODM ticket.
Speaking with great emotion Treasury CS John Mbadi Ng’ongo singled out a certain ethnic community for being behind the downfall of Luo Nyanza since independence. Using a parable he said a friend of your enemy is obviously your enemy. Conversely he outlined the benefits of working with the Ruto’s government.
He was also surprised how much the residents of Siaya appeared fed up with their governor.
The situation reached breaking point as ODM chairperson Gladys Wanga rose to invite Oburu to speak. Even as she introduced attending governors, audible commotion swelled behind the dais, eventually overwhelming the programme.
Amid the disorder, Oduol sought to steady the political messaging, assuring residents that county leadership remained intact.
“There is no vacuum in leadership,” he said, adding that if Orengo had “wilfully absconded duty,” the deputy governor was prepared to step in. He further claimed the depth of county mismanagement had recently been exposed when the Kenya Power and Lighting Company disconnected electricity at county headquarters over unpaid bills.
As the dust settles, the aborted Siaya rally is likely to sharpen focus on ODM’s internal cohesion in the county and the broader implications of its delicate engagement with the ruling side.
Whether the chaos was spontaneous or symptomatic of deeper factional fault lines, Saturday’s events underscored a simple political reality: the battle for Siaya — and potentially the soul of ODM — is far from over.
