The Luo Council of Elders chairman, Ker Odungi Randa, has stepped forward as a potential peacemaker in the escalating Luo Nyanza leadership feud, warning that continued infighting could weaken the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party’s bargaining power with President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Speaking amid a deepening split within ODM between allies of party leader Dr Oburu Oginga and Siaya Governor James Orengo, Mr Randa said unity is no longer optional but a political necessity. He cautioned that the fallout between the rival camps risks costing the community dearly at a critical political moment.
He also called on Interior Principal Secretary Dr Raymond Omollo and Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga to bury the hatchet and refocus on development in the Nyanza region. Mr Randa pledged to convene a high-level reconciliation process bringing together ODM trustees, including Kisumu Governor Prof Anyang’ Nyong’o, Duol (Luo elected leaders) chairman Dr James Nyikal and elders drawn from Tanzania, Uganda and South Sudan.
“I am ready, as Ker of the Luo community, to arbitrate this dispute. If necessary, we shall take these talks beyond Kenya and seek an amicable settlement. Orengo should reconcile with Dr Oginga so that we can build a united front at the negotiating table with Ruto,” Mr Randa said.
He further reminded Governor Orengo of the political backing he received from the late Raila Odinga, urging him to remain loyal to the party instead of pursuing a parallel political path. Mr Randa also challenged Mr Orengo to abandon self-styled claims as the “People’s Party Leader” and rally behind Dr Oginga, currently holding the mantle of ODM leadership.
Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga speaks during the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Special Delegates Convention at the ASK Dome, Jamhuri Expo Centre in Nairobi.
Photo credit: Bonface Bogita | Nation Media Group
“I appeal to my good friend James Orengo to come home and join Dr Oburu. Ruto will go, Oburu will go, and Orengo will go one day, but let us not divide the community. I have seen Western and Coastal leaders uniting, the same as Rigathi Gachagua and Uhuru Kenyatta recently; why not Luo community leaders?” Mr Randa posed.
The calls for unity come as the Linda Mwananchi faction prepares for a major rally in Kisumu County on Sunday. Leaders allied to the group say unity under the late Mr Odinga had previously strengthened the region politically and economically.
“Irrespective of our political differences, let us remain peaceful. To our guests, we welcome you to Kisumu, but you must have an agenda for the people. If you are coming to insult our leaders or declare yourself the party leader, that is illegal and we will not allow it,” said Alego Usonga MP Samuel Atandi while addressing residents in Kisumu on Thursday.
However, in a sharp rebuttal to the proposed mediation, Mr Orengo told the Saturday Nation that any reconciliation effort within ODM would be futile unless the party addresses what he described as the real source of its internal turmoil.
“Arbitration is unnecessary if ODM has not dealt with the force destroying the party — Ruto. Once you diagnose the problem, you realise he is the central issue,” Mr Orengo said.
The governor argued that the crisis within ODM is not driven by personalities or factions but by external political interference. He further claimed that, were Mr Odinga still alive, he would not have allowed party meetings to be held at State House.
“The meetings at State House demonstrate the domination and political hegemony of the ruling party. ODM should be left to operate independently. The celebratory manner in which UDA is carrying out activities in our strongholds is troubling, yet we are not doing the same in what remains of UDA strongholds,” he said.
Siaya Governor James Orengo.
Photo credit: Dennis Onsongo | Nation Media Group
According to Mr Orengo, his declaration as the People’s Party Leader was not an act of rebellion but a response to what he described as a collapse of command at the top of the party after the “General” (Dr Oginga) abandoned his troops.
“Our twin rallies in Vihiga and Kisumu will go on as planned. We have notified the police, who are under a duty to provide security and deal with individuals inciting violence,” said Mr Orengo, the convener of the Kisumu rally.
He added that despite assurances from Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja regarding security, there were still concerns about individuals allegedly mobilising to disrupt the gatherings.
Efforts by Saturday Nation to confirm whether police had formally received notification of the Kisumu rally were unsuccessful, with officers from junior ranks to the County Commissioner declining to comment, saying the matter was beyond their mandate. The Officer Commanding Station (OCS) in Kasagam, who would ordinarily receive such notifications, also declined to comment.
Meanwhile, the Kisumu Interfaith Network (KIN) has raised concerns over rising political intolerance, incitement and the use of organised groups to influence or disrupt public gatherings ahead of the rally.
“Such practices undermine democratic freedoms, erode public trust, weaken social cohesion and place lives at risk,” said Father Francis Konyach of the Kisumu Catholic Archdiocese Justice and Peace Department.
