Siaya Governor James Orengo has stated that the Linda Mwananchi rallies in Vihiga and Kakamega counties will take place with or without state interference.

Addressing the media in Kisumu shortly after landing in the area on Friday, February 20, 2026, ahead of the much-anticipated ODM Linda Mwananchi rally scheduled for Saturday, February 21, 2026, Orengo said that regardless of efforts to stop the rally from taking place by the state, it must be successful.

His remarks came after one of their sound trucks was attacked by a group of youths while en route to Kakamega in the Riat area.

Linda Mwananchi team leader Edwin Sifuna stated that the caravan was pelted with stones, leading to a broken windscreen. He linked the attackers to what he termed state-sponsored goons.

Orengo further stated that just as they continued with their rallies after being attacked in Busia and Kitengela, they will proceed with the Kakamega rally with or without intimidation.

He described the Linda Mwananchi forums, which began in Busia, as a “tsunami” and an unstoppable force that no one can dare stand in its way, warning that anyone who attempts to block it risks being swept away by the wave.

He challenged their critics to be prepared for what he termed a huge movement for the people, by the people.

“This thing is huge; it’s a tsunami and unstoppable. No force on earth is going to stand in our way, so rest assured that this meeting is going to take place,” Orengo stated.

Osostsi’s warning

Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi, who was also part of the press conference, echoed Orengo’s remarks, stating that he does not expect anyone to disrupt their Kakamega Linda Mwananchi rally.

He added that just as their rivals, led by Oburu Odinga under the Linda Ground forum, held their rally at Kakamega Golf Hotel without interference, they also expect the same treatment since they are conducting their activities peacefully.

Osotsi further said that just as they were attacked in Busia and Kitengela, and the public stood with them, the same will happen in Kakamega.

He emphasised that their protection will come from the people and not from anyone else.

“We do not expect anyone to come and disrupt our rally because we are conducting it peacefully. Even in Kakamega, our protection is the people, and people’s power cannot be stopped by anyone,” Ososti stated.

He also told President William Ruto that if he has indeed done good things for the country, then he should not be afraid of anything.

However, he warned that if the government begins attacking and interfering with their rallies, it could mark the beginning of destabilising the country.

Kakamega Governor welcoming them

Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa, on the other hand, despite being a member of the Linda Ground faction, has welcomed the rival Sifuna-led Linda Mwananchi team to Kakamega to hold their meet-the-people rally.

He stated that although he belongs to the rival group, he has no objection to the activities of the other faction. According to him, it is simply the “D” in ODM — democracy — at play, and everyone should be allowed to exercise their beliefs as long as they do so peacefully.

Linda Mwanachi/Ground factions

Linda Mwananchi emerged as an alternative opposition to the mainstream Linda Ground initiative, which arose from the Orange Democratic Movement’s Central Management Committee (CMC).

Which tasked the Linda ground to move around the country to collect views from ODM delegates regarding the decision to begin structured negotiations with the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) as part of political preparations.