The Linda Mwananchi faction of the Orange Democratic Movement, led by Secretary General Edwin Sifuna and Siaya Governor James Orengo, on Saturday defied threats, intimidation and disruptions to hold a major rally in Kakamega as they continued with their countrywide engagements, rallying people not to re-elect President William Ruto in 2027.
Police had indicated that they were not aware of the rally, while Governor Fernandez Barasa and his deputy, Ayub Savula, vowed to stop any meeting by the ODM faction at Amalemba Grounds in Kakamega, but the team forged ahead.
However, clashes between supporters of the Linda Mwananchi (Protect the People) team and those backing President William Ruto’s two-term bid led to the death of one person and left two others seriously injured.
The violence is said to have been triggered by competing chants, with one faction shouting “one term” while another countered with “two terms.”
Senator Edwin Sifuna's speech was briefly interrupted when tear gas was lobbed in the crowd during the Linda Mwananchi rally in Kakamega on February 21.
Photo credit: Rushdie Oudia | Nation
At least one youth affiliated with one of the factions was left lying by the roadside after the confrontation.
The man, believed to have been ferried from Kisumu, was cornered by a rival group and hit with wooden batons and stones, leaving his lifeless body near some shops in Mbale Town on the Kisumu–Kakamega Road. There were allegations that he had stabbed another youth during the exchange after he was found with a bloodied knife.
But the rally continued unabated, with the leaders atop their vehicles’ sunroofs, marching from Kakamega Town in a convoy that snaked its way to Amalemba Grounds, where thousands of people were already waiting.
Edwin Sifuna speaking to Linda Mwananchi Rally at Amalemba grounds in Kakamega on February 21, 2026.
Photo credit: Alex Odhiambo | Nation
During the rally, the team comprising Mr Sifuna, Mr Orengo, ODM Deputy Party Leader Godfrey Osotsi and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino said their faction within the party would field a presidential candidate to square off with President Ruto in 2027.
“Oburu is saying that ODM doesn’t want the presidency or the deputy presidency. ODM has enough leaders who are capable of being president, including Sifuna, Babu, Orengo and I,” said Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi.
Senator Edwin Sifuna's speech was briefly interrupted when tear gas was lobbed in the crowd during the Linda Mwananchi rally in Kakamega on February 21.
Photo credit: Rushdie Oudia | Nation
“As Linda Mwananchi we will continue with our rallies after Ramadhan following a request by our Muslim brothers. We will then take the rallies to Mombasa.”
Mr Osotsi alleged that there was a plan being hatched to divide the Western Region, maintaining that unity between the two groups began during the Masinde Muliro days and later under Kijana Wamalwa, stressing that nobody would divide them.
The leaders maintained that they would not settle for less as they seek to steer a revolution in the country.
“We are bringing change to Kenya, and it is these leaders here who will do it through the people,” said Mr Orengo.
James Orengo speaking to Linda Mwananchi Rally at Amalemba grounds in Kakamega on February 21, 2026.
Photo credit: Alex Odhiambo | Nation
He stressed that the only person he would listen to on ODM matters would be Mr Sifuna because he means well for the party.
“We cannot allow them to kill Raila Odinga’s party. His guide was the 10-point agenda, which did not include the formation of coalitions with other parties,” said Mr Orengo.
He added that the government is not committed to fulfilling the agenda, citing continued killings of people during demonstrations, such as in Kitengela.
According to the Siaya Governor, the cost of living remains high despite it being among the issues President Ruto committed to addressing in the MoU.
Prior to the rally, there was tension in Kakamega and Mbale towns, where the leaders were scheduled to hold rallies, with a heavy police presence and goons walking around town with crude weapons.
The team outwitted security agencies and their rivals by changing the programme, carrying out heavy mobilisation and using the element of surprise.
According to the programme, the rally was to start at 10 am in Mbale, where goons were already waiting. Instead, the leaders emerged in Kakamega Town and later held the rally in Mbale, Vihiga County, in the afternoon. The goons realised too late, after a huge crowd had already gathered and was headed to Amalemba.
To counter planned violence, the team had young men who volunteered to ward off any disruption, and they vigorously chased away anyone who attempted to interfere with the rally.
The leaders also spoke early during the rally and, by the time aspirants and local leaders took to the podium, they had quietly slipped away and were headed to Mbale. The crowd realised more than 20 minutes later that they had left.
What also contributed to the smooth rally was the support from locals who thronged the venue and backed them.
Senator Edwin Sifuna's speech was briefly interrupted when tear gas was lobbed in the crowd during the Linda Mwananchi rally in Kakamega on February 21.
Photo credit: Rushdie Oudia | Nation
Immediately, Mr Sifuna rose to speak, a tear gas canister was lobbed into the crowd moments after he began his speech, sending supporters scrambling for safety.
The incident lasted barely five minutes before the rally resumed, with leaders directing their criticism at the government for allegedly sponsoring violence against them.
“They tried to intimidate us, threaten us and brought youths to block us at Kisumu Airport, but here we are in Kakamega. No one will spoil this rally today; we are not running away,” said Mr Sifuna.
According to him, the President was meddling in devolution by taking control of key functions of the Nairobi County Government.
Mr Owino accused the state of focusing on intimidating leaders instead of solving the problems many Kenyans are facing.
“Our lives begin to end the day we keep silent about the things that matter. The people of Kakamega and Mbale refuse to be silenced by state suppression. Our team refuses to be silent about the high cost of living, the plight of mama mboga and the struggles of boda boda operators,” said Mr Owino.
Kabuchai MP Majimbo Kalasinga said Mr Sifuna is capable of being president, as the crowd went wild, adding that they were not going for Kindiki’s seat.
Banners during the Linda Mwananchi Rally at Amalemba grounds in Kakamega on February 21, 2026.
Photo credit: Alex Odhiambo | Nation
Mr Obadia Barongo, MP for Bomachoge Borabu Constituency, accused the government of fabricating opinion polls to show it is popular even as President Ruto’s fortunes continue to dwindle.
He lauded the Western Region for showing unity by rallying behind their son, Sifuna.
After the successful Kakamega rally, the team is expected to head to Nairobi, Mombasa, Narok, Kisumu, Siaya, Homa Bay, Migori, Kisii, Turkana and then Mandera.
