Alego Usonga Member of Parliament Samuel Atandi has urged Nyanza residents to remain united behind the broad-based government arrangement between the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and President William Ruto ahead of the planned ODM convention in Kisumu.

Speaking during an ODM youth meeting held at Tom Mboya Labour College in Kisumu on Saturday, May 23, 2026, Atandi said the region must consolidate its political strength under ODM to benefit from national government development opportunities, appointments and empowerment programmes.

Atandi stated that Parliament has allocated Ksh2 billion in the latest supplementary budget to compensate victims of post-election violence and political conflicts who have suffered losses over the years.

“In the last supplementary budget, we appropriated Ksh2 billion towards compensating our people who have suffered over the years in post-election and political conflict,”

“That money is going to be dispensed in the coming weeks before the next budget cycle,” Atandi said.

Kisumu families compensation

According to Atandi, Kisumu families that lost loved ones, sustained injuries or suffered destruction of property during politically instigated violence would benefit from the compensation programme.

The lawmaker expressed hope that the compensation initiative would mark the end of politically driven violence in the region.

“We do not want to lose our lives or our land because of political processes. This should be the last time a Luo is injured because of politics,” he said.

Atandi acknowledged that the Luo community did not overwhelmingly support President Ruto in the last election, but said the President had nevertheless embraced the region through appointments and development opportunities under the broad-based arrangement with ODM leader Raila Odinga.

He argued that the region should now organise itself politically and strategically ahead of the next election cycle instead of remaining isolated from national power.

“In the coming election, we do not want to be invited. We want to plan well and re-elect President Ruto so that we can bargain better for positions,” he said.

Call for ODM unity

He maintained that the community’s political voice would only remain influential if leaders stayed united under ODM and avoided internal divisions.

“That is why we are gathered here today as ODM youth leaders from Kisumu County. Our message is clear that we want this region to remain united under the ODM party,” he stated.

Atandi also warned leaders opposing the broad-based government against dividing the Luo community, saying internal wrangles would only weaken the region politically and reduce its bargaining power nationally.

“We cannot afford to divide ourselves because that will mean our political voice will be weakened,” Atandi said.

He announced that ODM supporters from across the Luo Nyanza region would convene in Kisumu on May 31, 2026 under the ODM umbrella, to demonstrate unity and political solidarity.

“We want all of us to join as we pronounce ourselves united,” he added.