Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga has defended the Orange Democratic Movement’s (ODM) participation in the country’s broad-based government, saying the arrangement has strengthened national cohesion and reduced long-standing feelings of exclusion among communities.

Speaking during a women’s empowerment fund drive in Rarieda, Siaya County, on Saturday, May 23, 2026, Wanga said the political framework has broadened inclusivity by bringing together diverse communities that have historically felt sidelined from national leadership.

She maintained that ODM remains a national party committed to unity, dismissing claims that the country’s political landscape is still deeply divided along ethnic lines.

“As ODM, we are a national party and we want national unity. We want everyone included. This broad-based government has brought in the Msambweni community, the Luo, Kikuyu, Giriama, Teso, Kuria, Kisii, every Kenyan is inside,” she said.

End to politics of hate

The governor took a sharp swipe at political factions she accused of driving a wedge between citizens through retrogressive rhetoric. She warned against the “politics of hate, politics of tribalism, and politics of division,” which she said are designed to make a section of the country feel like outsiders.

​Addressing murmurs of potential rifts within Nyanza’s political backyard, Wanga firmly rejected any notions of division within the Luo community, stating that the region’s leadership stands resolved behind senior political figures.

​”And those who think that we, as the Jaluo community, will divide with some going one way and others going another way, that is impossible,” Wanga stated, rallying the crowd.

“We will stand together behind our leader, Dr Oburu Oginga, and we will continue to speak about matters that concern Kenyans.”

Economic advocacy

She noted that the era of ordinary citizens destroying property to register their displeasure with government policies must come to an end, urging that economic advocacy be left to elected leaders.

​”I want to say thank you to our youth because we said you agreed that our leaders should be the ones to fight those fuel-related battles,” Wanga urged. “It shouldn’t be you going out again to destroy people’s property, because for all these years, we have been called rioters, stone-throwers… and creators of chaos. This time, let others do that work too! Our youth will not be killed again.”

Oburu defence

ODM leader Oburu Oginga has claimed they are focused on consolidating their political strength even as they continue to support their political union with President William Ruto’s UDA party.

Speaking during the funeral of Nyando MP Jared Okelo’s mother on Friday, May 22, 2026, Oburu said ODM’s decision to work with President William Ruto’s administration was strategic and aimed at safeguarding the party’s influence while pursuing development and national unity.

“We must unite in order to gain power, and we do not fear seeking that power. The Constitution is clear that the objective of a political party is to obtain political power through constitutional means,” Oburu said.