ODM rift deepens as Linda Ground camp dismisses Sifuna’s Kisumu rally
By Emmanuel Rono, April 27, 2026A section of Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) supporters under the “Linda Ground” faction has downplayed the impact of a rival political gathering held in Kisumu County.
The supporters, who spoke to the press on Monday, April 27, 2026, dismissed the “Linda Mwananchi” rally staged on Sunday, saying it failed to shake ODM’s political stronghold in the region despite drawing a significant crowd.
Despite widespread expectations that the Linda Mwananchi meeting led by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna would be marred by violence or disruption from hired goons, the event proceeded peacefully in Kisumu city on Sunday, April 26, 2026.
However, Linda Ground leaders, led by Chairperson Gladys Wanga, have characterised the large turnout as a choreographed event, alleging that the crowd was mobilised and paid to attend.
“Hiyo ni ndoto ya mchana. Ni ndoto ya mchana kwa sababu chama kime fanya uamuzi na sisi tunaendelea na huo uamuzi wa chama wale wa kuota waendelee kuota,” Wanga said.
Need for Peace
According to Sam Atandi, the peaceful nature of the rally was a result of a deliberate decision by local leaders and the government to avoid a bloodbath.
He claimed that intelligence reports suggested that the Linda Mwananchi organisers had heavily mobilised armed goons, and some individuals in their entourage were reportedly seen carrying weapons.
“We did not, as leaders and as government, want to lead our people into blood baths because whoever was going to gain, we also got intelligence information that the planners of the Linda Mwananchi Rally in Kisumu are heavily mobilising with goons and with weapons,” he said.
Linda Mwananchi Kisumu rally
The Linda Mwananchi faction has stormed Kisumu city on Sunday, April 26, 2026, in a show of political strength in the region amid earlier threats by some local leaders that the rally would not take place in the city.
The rally comes amid escalating political friction in Nyanza, where rival factions have traded accusations over intimidation, disruption of meetings, and attempts to silence dissenting voices.
Siaya Governor James Orengo had earlier warned violent actors against alleged attempts to incite violence ahead of the planned rally at KaOwuor Grounds in Kisumu.
Taking to his X account on April 26, 2026, Orengo said those behind what he termed as orchestrated violence are well known, adding that their interests are equally understood.
Orengo warned them to abandon their plan, claiming that the Linda Mwananchi movement is unstoppable despite previous attacks during their rallies.
“We are fully aware of those orchestrating violence and the interests they serve. Abandon your schemes; this movement is an unstoppable force. The voice of the people is the voice of God. Tupatane KaOwuor Grounds !” Orengo warned