By Kepher Otieno - Reporter
Kenya, 18 May 2026 - Civil rights activists in Kisumu have condemned remarks by Alego Usonga MP Samuel Atandi after he reportedly suggested that individuals promoting political formations parallel to the ODM-backed Linda Ground movement associated with Dr Oburu Oginga Odinga should be handled in a manner that will enforce political discipline.
The comments, made during an ODM delegates’ conference in Kisumu on Sunday, have sparked criticism from governance lobby groups and human rights defenders, who warned that such rhetoric risks fuelling intolerance and political hostility as the country edges closer to another election season.
Speaking during a joint press briefing in Kisumu on Monday, several activists accused the legislator of promoting coercive politics inconsistent with democratic principles.
The activists were led by Linda Ogweno (aspirant Woman Representative Kisumu County), Zablon Isaac (Kisumu County resident), Moses Muswa (Secretary General of Linda Mwananchi Kisumu Chapter), Elly Otieno (resident of Kisumu) and Erick Otieno (incoming Kajulu Ward National Youths Council).
“What the MP said was reckless, inflammatory and deeply irresponsible,” Ogweno, who is also a civil rights campaigner, stated.
“You cannot preach democracy during the day and advocate violence against dissenters at night. Political disagreement is not a crime, and no Kenyan deserves to be threatened merely for holding a different political opinion,” Muswa said.
Another governance advocate said the remarks appeared to reflect what political theorist Hannah Arendt described as “the deal, the kiss and the stick” — where political loyalty is first negotiated through persuasion and reward, before force is used against those unwilling to comply.
“What we heard on Saturday was effectively an endorsement of the ‘stick’ approach to politics,” the activist said.
“It creates the dangerous impression that where persuasion fails, violence should follow. Kenya has suffered before because leaders used inflammatory language to mobilise supporters against perceived opponents,” Isaac said
The rights groups further argued that references to beating dissenters carried disturbing parallels with the force sometimes associated with anti-riot policing, where officers use batons to disperse demonstrators during protests.
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“When leaders begin speaking the language of force and punishment, they legitimise political intimidation,” another speaker added.
“That is how fear enters democratic spaces. It starts with threats, then harassment, then eventually violence. We must reject that culture completely,” Otieno said
The activists warned that such statements could easily heighten tensions within politically active regions, particularly at a time when new grassroots movements and internal political rivalries are beginning to emerge within traditional party strongholds.
“Kenyans are already under economic pressure and political anxiety,” Otieno, a rights defender, said.
“The last thing this country needs is leaders issuing statements that may incite supporters or create hostility against fellow citizens. Loose political talk has historically pushed this nation dangerously close to conflict,” Isaac asserted.
The groups called upon political leaders across all parties to exercise restraint in their public remarks and urged security agencies and electoral stakeholders to remain vigilant against incitement.
By Monday evening, Mr Atandi had not publicly responded to the criticism or clarified his remarks.
Rights Groups Condemn Atandi's Remarks Over Linda Factions in ODM
Rights defenders condemn Atandi for threatening Linda parallel factions