Ruth Odinga Warns against Attempts to Block Sifuna’s Linda Mwananchi Rally in Kisumu

Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga has condemned attempts of blocking a planned political rally in Kisumu,

She warned that such actions undermine constitutional freedoms and threaten party unity within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).

She also called on all leaders and supporters to exercise restraint and trust the people of Kisumu to make their own democratic choices.

“We cannot decide for the people which rallies they may attend and which they may not. That is a direct affront to democracy,” Odinga said.

Taking to her official Facebook account on Friday, April 24, 2026, Ruth took issue with remarks by an unnamed Member of Parliament who had publicly declared that the upcoming Linda Mwananchi rally would not be allowed to proceed in the lakeside city.

“It is deeply regrettable that an elected Member of Parliament would publicly declare that a political rally will not be allowed to happen in Kisumu,” she said.

She emphasised that freedom of movement, association, and expression are enshrined in Kenya’s Constitution and cannot be curtailed by political actors.

“As an elected leader, I took a solemn oath to uphold the Constitution of Kenya. These freedoms are sacred and non-negotiable rights for every Kenyan,” she stated.

She warned that attempts to restrict political gatherings set a “dangerous precedent” and could erode democratic principles if left unchecked.

The legislator insisted that Kisumu should remain open to all political players, regardless of party affiliation, dismissing narratives that the city could be turned into a political “no-go zone”.

She added that leaders from across the political divide, including those from ODM, the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), and opposition formations, should be allowed to engage residents freely.

“As the Member of Parliament representing the people of Kisumu – the very venue for the proposed rally – I cannot afford to sit on the fence while leaders attempt to set a very dangerous precedent. Kisumu is not a theatre for political chaos, as some would want to create a narrative to justify their intended acts. This city belongs to its people, and everyone coming to speak with them – whether they are from the United Opposition, DCP, UDA, or within our own house, ODM – must feel free to do so without fear of intimidation and not as a favor by anyone,” she wrote on Facebook.

Ruth, who also serves as ODM’s deputy organising secretary, urged party members to embrace unity and avoid internal divisions as tensions rise over the planned rally.

She invoked the party’s long-standing mantra of “gather all, scatter none”, calling on members to accommodate diverse views within the party.

“In my capacity as the Deputy Organizing Secretary of ODM, I have always stood by the “gather all, scatter none” mantra. The team scheduled to visit Kisumu this Sunday, April 26th, professes ODM as their party. At this pivotal moment in our party’s journey, I urge all of us to reflect on the values that have always defined ODM: unity, inclusivity, and mutual respect,” she said.

The planned rally, associated with the “Linda Mwananchi” faction, has exposed underlying divisions within ODM, with competing camps accused of pushing rival political agendas.

Ruth further urged leaders to avoid turning the event into a source of conflict, instead calling for dialogue and cooperation.

“The conversations surrounding the upcoming rally should not be a source of division. Whether one aligns with “Linda Ground” or “Linda Mwananchi,” we must remember that we are all ODM. Our strength has never come from forced uniformity, but from our diversity of thought, united by a common purpose to serve the people and uphold democratic ideals,” she said.