Osotsi: I prefer Linda Mwananchi’s deputy role over ODM leadership position
By Emmanuel Rono, May 27, 2026Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi has declared that his political focus has shifted from the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leadership structure to the Linda Mwananchi movement.
Speaking during an interview with a local station on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, Osotsi said he has chosen to align himself fully with the Linda Mwananchi initiative, insisting that his current political role is now tied to the movement rather than ODM party structures.
He stated that he is not interested in serving as deputy party leader within the ODM.
“Hiyo vitu ya ODM, eti deputy party leader, mimi sitaki. Ninataka kukuwa deputy party leader of Linda Mwananchi, na hiyo ndio nimekuwa nikifanya,” Osotsi said.
Loosely translate: “I don’t want to be the deputy party leader of ODM. I want to be the deputy party leader of Linda Mwananchi, and that is what I have been doing,” Osotsi said.
Linda Mwananchi formation
He suggested that Linda Mwananchi emerged from dissatisfaction and internal political exclusion, arguing that the movement was formed as a response to perceived sidelining within ODM-linked structures.
According to him, early formations and meetings under what was initially referred to as “Linda Ground” involved consultations across several counties, including Busia, Kakamega and Mombasa, where delegates gathered to chart the way forward.
Osotsi claimed that confusion and disagreements within ODM-aligned engagements contributed to the consolidation of the new political identity, which eventually settled on the name Linda Mwananchi.
“So we said, whether it’s Linda Ground or Linda Tumbo, let’s call ourselves Linda Mwanainchi. Those people, they start something, and they leave it behind. They started that meeting with the delegates, but they realised that Linda Mwananchi control 30 counties,” Osotsi said.
ODM drops ‘Linda Ground’ slogan
Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga assured party aspirants that the party remains united, stable and firmly under the leadership of Oburu Oginga despite the ongoing transition following the death of veteran opposition leader Raila Odinga.
Speaking during the Nyanza aspirants consultative meeting in Kisumu on May 25, 2026, Wanga said the gathering was aimed at bringing together aspirants seeking ODM tickets ahead of the next general election and assuring them that the party structure remains intact and strong.
She noted that although the National Elections Coordinating Committee had already opened the registration portal for aspirants, there was a need for early consultations before the closure of the exercise at the end of June.
“We thought it was important that even before the registration closes, we meet, see each other and give ourselves confidence that ODM remains steady, strong and united under Dr. Oburu Oginga,” she said.
The ODM chairperson also announced that the party had abandoned the ‘Linda Ground’ slogan after rivals reportedly adopted and distorted it, insisting that ODM members should now strictly identify themselves using the official ODM name, colours and branding.
“We had created the Linda Ground movement to consolidate our support base, but some people came and tried to imitate it with different versions. We have now left that behind. We are ODM and the colour is orange,” Wanga stated.