Oburu vows to show United Opposition how protests should be done
By Mabonga Makhanu, February 2, 2026Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader and Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga has told the United Opposition that ODM members are the ones who truly understand how to conduct protests, saying they are even ready to teach them how to do it.
Speaking on Monday, January 2, 2025, during an event marking the disbandment of NYOTA funds in Kisumu, Oburu thanked President William Ruto for the development projects currently being implemented in the Lake Region.
He noted that the region was previously known for protests rather than development.
Oburu stated that he had learned the United Opposition was planning to hold protests in the coming weeks, adding that whatever they are attempting to do is something ODM members know best
“Tuko kwa serikali na Rais William Ruto. Hapa tulikuwa tumejulikana na maandamano. Naskia wengine wanasema ati next week wanataka kufanya maandamano. Wakuje tuwafunze maandamano ni nini? Hawa hawajui maandamano, he said.
Gachagua’s shares remarks
The ODM leader also took a swipe at former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, reminding him of his past remarks regarding shares. Oburu emphasised that the Lake Region, just like any other part of the country, deserves development regardless of how residents voted.
“Na huyu mtu wa shares alikuwa amesema sisi hatuwezi pata faida kwa sababu hatukupigia Rais kura. Sasa mnaona ile maendeleo tunapata.”
He added.
Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga also criticised the planned protests by the opposition, saying that they, as ODM, are not getting on board with the protest issue.
United Oppositions’s protest alarm
This comes days after the United Opposition, which has since rebranded itself as the United Alternative Government, marched to the office of the Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja, to lodge a formal complaint over violence meted out against them, particularly targeting former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua during church services across the country.
Following the meeting, the opposition said it had reported the matter to the police and demanded that officers who were present during the chaos be disarmed, arrested, and charged in court.
They warned that failure to act, especially regarding incidents involving Gachagua, would trigger nationwide protests.
Gachagua further claimed that any protests previously carried out by Raila Odinga would not match those planned by the United Opposition.
The group also visited the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) offices, where they demanded a raft of reforms within the commission, warning that failure to implement the changes would also result in protests.