Osotsi warns Ruto against interfering with Kakamega rally, calls for respect of democracy
By Faith Lagat, February 20, 2026Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi has issued a warning to President William Ruto against any attempt to disrupt the planned Linda Mwananchi rally in Kakamega, saying interference would undermine democracy in Kenya.
Speaking during a media briefing on Thursday, Osotsi emphasised that the opposition team would rely on “people’s power” for protection.
“We saw the Linda ground holding a rally at Golf Hotel in Kakamega and no one stopped them. No one stopped them,” he said. “So we don’t expect them to come and disrupt our rally because we are doing it in peace,” Osotsi said.
Osotsi also called on Kenyans to attend the Linda Mwananchi rally in Kakamega, saying the gathering will send a clear message to President William Ruto. “Let us all attend the meeting in Kakamega to send a message to William Ruto that your days are numbered.
We cannot continue to have a regime that does not tolerate divergent opinions,” Osotsi stated, urging citizens to show support for democratic participation and the opposition-led event.
Rally preparations
Osotsi cited incidents at previous rallies in Busia andKitengela where attempts at disruption were made but failed due to public support.
“In Kitengela they also destroyed our dais ahead of our meeting, but the people stood with us,” he recounted.
“I want to tell them even in Kakamega our protection is the people and people’s power cannot be stopped by anyone.”
Addressing President Ruto directly, he added: “President William Ruto, if you have done good things for this country, you have nothing to fear. But if you are going to stop our rally, then I want to assure you that you will be actually beginning the process to destroy this country by not allowing democracy to thrive.”
The rally, scheduled for Saturday, February 21, will be led by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and feature ODM-aligned leaders including Osotsi, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka and others.
The tour will start in Mbale before culminating at Amalemba Grounds in Kakamega town.
ODM leaders join tour despite tensions
On Friday afternoon, Siaya Governor James Orengo arrived in Kisumu to join the tour. Orengo, who has openly criticised ODM’s potential coalition talks with Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ahead of the 2027 elections, was in high spirits as he alighted from a plane.
He has previously supported Sifuna after the senator’s brief ousting and reinstatement as ODM Secretary-General, describing the move as an attempt to silence dissenting voices within the party.
Tensions have escalated after the Linda Mwananchi mobilisation truck was stoned in Kisumu’s Riat area by individuals Sifuna described as “government-sponsored goons.” Despite the incident, the ODM team has vowed the rally will proceed as planned.