By Kepher Otieno - Reporter
Kenya, 4 December 2025 - The intensified confrontation between Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga and Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo—now amplified by a wave of grassroots protests led mainly by women across Kisumu, Nyando, and parts of Siaya—marks one of the most consequential political tremors in Nyanza.
What began as accusations over interference in the Kasipul by-election has evolved into a broader contest over legitimacy, influence, and the future of regional political organisation.
At the core of the conflict is Wanga’s claim that Omollo quietly backed an independent candidate in the Kasipul race, undermining the ODM party position.
Although Omollo has vehemently denied involvement, he has responded with unusually sharp criticism, accusing the governor of intolerance and political manipulation.
The exchange has exposed long-simmering tensions between the ODM establishment and leaders perceived as more aligned with the national government.
“PS Omollo has stood with the lowly and the downtrodden in our communities. Any attempt to convince William Ruto to remove him from the Interior docket must be rejected,” said one protester, Halina Said from Kaloleni.
“We will stand with the PS. Let Governor Wanga stop dragging him into unnecessary politics,” she added.
Another protester, Sarah Opiyo — a market trader — declared: “Raymond Omollo is the only leader who listens to us.
He has shown he cares about development, about women, and about the future of our children.
During the protest, Regina Sayid told the media: “This man, Ray, has built houses for widows and paid full school fees for needy students. Governor Wanga should show us what she has done for Homa Bay instead of fighting him.”
And another woman, Debrah Ojuka — representing a youth alliance — said: “We are saying, please leave Raymond alone. Let him work for the people.”
What sets this conflict apart is the nature of the pushback.
The protests have not been orchestrated by traditional political actors—MPs, ward reps, or party officials—but by women’s groups, traders, widows, and youth collectives, constituencies traditionally mobilised only during election seasons.
Their emergence at the centre of this dispute speaks to a widening disconnect between political leadership and the lived expectations of ordinary citizens.
The women’s message has been consistent and notably pragmatic: they support Omollo not out of partisan loyalty but because they credit him with tangible community interventions—housing for widows, support for needy students, empowerment programs for youth and informal workers.
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In contrast, they accuse Wanga of abandoning service in favour of political battles that offer them no direct benefit.
This framing is important. It suggests a shift away from the historically dominant “party-first” political identity of Nyanza toward service-based political allegiance. If sustained, this could reshape how regional politics is negotiated, especially ahead of 2027.
The episode also exposes the fragility within ODM’s territorial control in its perceived strongholds.
Wanga, as a senior ODM figure, represents the old guard’s consolidation of influence. Her insistence that the party’s candidate was the only legitimate choice in Kasipul is consistent with ODM’s long-standing tradition of centralized decision-making.
However, Omollo’s rise—powered by state backing, grassroots visibility, and a technocratic profile—has introduced a new axis of power that does not rely on ODM structures.
For many community members, this represents a refreshing alternative to entrenched political networks. For party insiders, it is a threat.
The protests, therefore, are more than emotional reactions. They are a public referendum on ODM’s internal democracy, raising questions about whether the party can accommodate emerging leaders who command local legitimacy but are outside its inner circle.
There is also an unavoidably gendered dimension in the optics of the current backlash. Wanga, one of the most prominent female governors, now faces sustained opposition from groups of women—an unusual inversion of traditional gendered political alliances. The perception that women are publicly rejecting her leadership intensifies the political cost, even if their grievances are primarily grounded in service delivery rather than gender identity.
The Wanga–Omollo clash could have ripple effects beyond Nyanza.
Recalibration of 2027 Alliances
Leaders with strong administrative portfolios and community ties, like Omollo, may emerge as kingmakers or even contenders in local and national political configurations.
Then again, Pressure on ODM to reform: the party may be forced to revisit its nomination processes, decision-making structures, and its relationship with the grassroots.
Rise of Issue-based Mobilisation
The protests might signal the beginning of a more assertive citizenry that prioritises development outcomes over partisan rhetoric.
Wanga-Omollo Clash Signals a Shift in Nyanza Power Dynamics
Protesters Defend PS Raymond Omollo Against Governor Gladys Wanga
