By Kepher Otieno - Reporter
Kenya, 10 May 2026 - The chairperson of Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga has intensified efforts to consolidate the ODM's grassroots machinery in what is increasingly emerging as an early mobilisation drive ahead of Kenya’s 2027 General Election.
During a tour of Ahero, her ancestral home in Kisumu County, Ms Wanga met delegates and local party officials, urging them to remain loyal to ODM and embrace the party’s renewed unity agenda under the broad-based government arrangement with President William Ruto.
Addressing party supporters over the weekend, Ms Wanga described the current political moment as one requiring sobriety, unity and strategic cooperation between political actors for the sake of national stability and development.
She said ODM’s engagement with the Kenya Kwanza administration should not be misconstrued as weakness, but rather viewed as a pragmatic effort aimed at safeguarding the country’s economic and political future.
Flanked by Nyakach MP Aduma Owuor and a number of ward reps and parliamentary aspirants led by Ken Opande and Robert Nyasuna alongside several serving and aspiring Members of County Assembly, Ms Wanga called on supporters to strengthen ODM’s grassroots structures through the “Linda Ground” mobilisation campaign.
The initiative, party insiders say, is intended to re-energise support bases across Nyanza while countering growing political fragmentation in the region.
“We must protect ODM because it remains the political vehicle that has defended the interests of our people for many years,” Ms Wanga told supporters during the gathering.
“The broad-based government is about inclusion, consultation and ensuring no region is left behind in national development.”
Her remarks appeared carefully calibrated to reassure traditional ODM supporters who have expressed mixed reactions over the party’s growing cooperation with President Ruto’s administration. While sections of the opposition have criticised the arrangement, ODM leaders allied to Ms Wanga argue that engagement with the government offers the region a greater opportunity to influence policy and secure development resources.
Mr Aduma echoed the sentiments, urging residents of Nyakach and the wider Luo Nyanza region to rally behind veteran statesman Oburu Odinga and President Ruto as part of efforts to preserve political unity and bargaining power ahead of the next electoral cycle.
“We must remain united behind leaders who understand the struggles of our people and who are prepared to work together for stability and progress,” Mr Aduma said.
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“Supporting Oburu and President Ruto does not diminish ODM; it strengthens our voice at the national table.”
The presence of multiple parliamentary hopefuls and MCA aspirants at the Ahero meeting also underscored the intensifying political succession battles already taking shape within ODM strongholds. Analysts view the early alignments as a sign that local leaders are keen to secure favour within the evolving power structure being shaped by the rapprochement between ODM and Kenya Kwanza.
On Saturday, Wanga met Nyakach delegates at Sondu Miriu - KenGen premises. She woed them to back ODM Linda ground led by Oburu and cautioned against being swayed to the rival camps Linda mwanchii movement.
Several delegates in attendance backed her and Dr Oburu for standing firm in the wake of political trials.
A delegates Samwel Obimbo told the leaders to make sure that the mass support party that was founded on moral democratic values does not wane in respect for the founder - Raila Odinga. They vowed to stay firm in support of Linda ground movement.
" We are not going to be dissuaded otherwise..We shall stand firm with you and Dr Oburu and Ruto in the 2027 unfolding political dispensation. Tag us along at will. And shepherd us where power is. Tunataka power," he said.
Many ODM delegates said they want power.
For Ms Wanga, who has steadily emerged as one of ODM’s most influential figures following her elevation to the party chairmanship, the challenge lies in balancing grassroots expectations with the realities of national coalition-building. Her recent political activities suggest a deliberate attempt to keep ODM united internally while positioning the party as a central player in Kenya’s shifting political landscape.
As debate continues over the future of opposition politics in Kenya, the message from Ahero was unmistakable: ODM’s leadership is determined to maintain its grip on its traditional support base while embracing a new era of political cooperation — one they believe could redefine alliances ahead of 2027.