By Kepher Otieno - Reporter
Kenya, 25 April 2026 - In a striking twist to the ever-shifting political winds of western Kenya, Juakali artisans in Kisumu have come out swinging in firm support of President William Ruto’s anticipated second-term bid, even as rival factions within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) square off for dominance in the lakeside city.
Speaking with unusual unanimity at Kisumu Railways, a group of informal sector workers led by Joseph Akeyo declared that their political compass is fixed squarely on the government side.
In a move that lays bare deepening fissures within ODM ranks, the artisans simultaneously endorsed the Linda Ground movement faction aligned to Oburu Oginga Odinga, while firmly rejecting calls to rejoin the opposition fold.
Their message was blunt and unambiguous. The artisans argued that the late ODM stalwart Raila Odinga had effectively “left them in government,” and any attempt to drag them back into opposition politics would require compelling justification. As one artisan after another took to the microphone, the refrain was consistent: they would not attend the planned Linda Wananchi rally in Kisumu city.
Laban Omondi stated plainly that their economic interests now align with the current administration, insisting that “we have chosen our path and we are not turning back.”
His counterpart, Laban Okiro, echoed the sentiment, adding that participation in rival political gatherings would only serve to “confuse the gains already made.” Victor Ogaga, another member of the group, reinforced the stance, declaring that their absence from the rally should be interpreted as a deliberate political statement rather than apathy.
The declaration lands on the eve of a high-stakes political showdown. The Linda Mwananchi faction, fresh from engagements in Vihiga County, is set to hold a rally in Kisumu, a region long considered an ODM stronghold. Yet the build-up has been anything but harmonious.
On Thursday, Alego Usonga MP Samwel Atandi and former Kisumu Central MP Fred Ouda addressed crowds at Kisumu Airport, urging residents to steer clear of a rival rally associated with Siaya Governor James Orengo and ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna.
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Atandi, in a scathing critique, accused Orengo of failing to deliver tangible development in Siaya County, questioning his suitability for higher office. He urged Kisumu residents to “ignore political theatrics” and instead focus on leaders with a proven track record.
But Orengo, never one to shy away from political sparring, dismissed the criticism with characteristic bravado. He brushed aside Atandi’s remarks, referring to him as a political novice unworthy of engagement. “There are some people I cannot talk about or respond to. They are not my political equals,” he declared, in remarks that are likely to further inflame tensions within the party.
Undeterred, Orengo insisted that the Linda Wananchi rally would proceed as planned, projecting confidence in his faction’s grassroots appeal. In a bold assertion of authority, he proclaimed himself the “people’s party leader” within ODM, a statement that underscores the escalating contest for influence in the party’s traditional bastions.
As Kisumu braces for the impending rally, the public endorsement of President Ruto by local artisans adds a fresh layer of intrigue. It signals not merely a shift in allegiance, but a potential reconfiguration of political loyalties in a region once considered monolithic.
Whether this groundswell among the Juakali sector represents an isolated outburst or the beginnings of a broader political realignment remains to be seen. What is certain, however, is that Kisumu’s political temperature is rising—and tomorrow’s rally may well prove a defining moment in the battle for its soul.