ODM party leader Oburu Oginga has condemned the rising cases of violence in his home region of Nyanza and elsewhere in the country, mainly fuelled by goons, revealing he had also fallen victim to goon attacks.
In an interview, the Siaya senator told the Nation that during a public fundraising event in Siaya last month, goons snatched and made away with Sh200,000 from him, and that his bodyguards went to great lengths to protect another Sh3 million donation from President William Ruto from the goons.
He also narrated how at another event in Kisumu County, goons invaded his helicopter, harassed him and assaulted his bodyguard, almost making off with another Harambee contribution in the process.
In a passionate appeal to young people to reject violence, Dr Oginga warned that the country cannot hold a free and fair election in 2027 if politicians continue to be attacked and criminal gangs continue to extort money from leaders.
“I’m a victim and they don’t even respect my advanced age. I was attacked when I went to a fundraiser for teachers in Siaya and goons made away with Sh200,000 from my bag. This was personal money and not what I had prepared to give out in the fundraiser. This culture has to stop,” said Dr Oginga in an interview with the Nation .
“They also almost made away with the money I was given as part of the contribution in the harambee by the president, but my bodyguards quickly intervened,” he added.
ODM party leader Dr Oburu Oginga speaks to journalists at Nyanza Golf Club, Kisumu, on May 8, 2026.
Photo credit: Alex Odhiambo | Nation Media Group
He was referring to a fundraising drive organised by the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) in Siaya County on June 28, where he donated Sh1 million and also presented Sh3 million from President William Ruto.
The fundraiser was attended by Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi, Ugenya MP David Ochieng', Gem MP Elisha Odhiambo and several other political leaders from the Nyanza region.
The veteran politician also encountered goons during a women's empowerment event in Nyando Constituency two weeks ago, where chaos erupted and one person was reportedly killed.
“In Nyando, they beat up my bodyguard and chased Owili (Mathews, Kisumu Deputy Governor), who had to seek refuge in my car as they demanded money from him. They blocked the pilot from taking off in my chopper; security had to fire in the air and lob teargas for us to take off,” said Dr Oginga.
The Nyando empowerment programme was attended by several senior ODM leaders, including Minority Leader Junet Mohamed, Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi and Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi.
After the event, a huge crowd of attendees demanded to be given the millions contributed, prompting chaos that resulted in one death and many injuries.
Dr Oginga also condemned recent incidents of political violence in Nyahururu, Kisumu and Homa Bay. Murang'a Governor Irungu Kang'ata was attacked during a Linda Mwananchi rally in Nyahururu on July 12 by youths with crude weapons.
On the same day, Siaya Governor James Orengo and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna were attacked by goons while attending a church service at ACK Cathedral in Milimani, Kisumu.
On Wednesday, goons also disrupted Mr Orengo's rally in Homa Bay Town after youths accompanying him clashed with another group.
“In the Kisumu incident, I’m suspicious; it was stage-managed because when did our people start attacking people with bows and arrows, which are not typical Luo weapons? It is bad that politicians can now stage-manage attacks for sympathy and political mileage,” said Dr Oginga, who is a fierce political opponent of Mr Orengo.
His remarks come amid growing concerns over the huge sums of money ODM leaders have recently been contributing at harambees, a trend that has become more pronounced since the death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga. There is an assertion that the contributions have led youths in the Nyanza region to believe ODM leaders have money given to them by the government.
Dr Oginga defended the large donations, saying ODM leaders now have greater access to resources because they are working with the government, unlike when they were in the opposition.
However, he dismissed claims that he receives money from the State House for harambees.
“I don’t go to the State House every day, and I also don’t get money there. Every contribution I have made comes from my personal money and I always hand over the contribution from the president publicly when it is sent to me. I can’t speak for others but individually, I have never been given money by the State House to contribute,” he said.
“Sometimes there are contributions from friends and those in businesses,” said Dr Oginga.
On politics, Dr Oginga said ODM and UDA are expected to name a technical committee on Thursday to steer negotiations between the two parties ahead of the 2027 General Election.
ODM party leader Dr Oburu Oginga speaks to journalists at Nyanza Golf Club, Kisumu, on May 8, 2026.
Photo credit: Alex Odhiambo | Nation Media Group
However, the party leader urged ODM supporters to be patient over discussions on which positions the party is likely to secure, noting that the election is still nearly a year away.
He warned that premature debate over power-sharing could be exploited by the opposition to weaken ODM's cooperation with President Ruto ahead of his re-election bid.
Dr Oginga also revealed that the party will soon begin a series of campaign rallies aimed at consolidating its support base and increasing the number of leaders it elects in the 2027 polls.
He also affirmed his support for the political ambitions of his nephew, Raila Odinga Jnr, who has announced that he will contest the Embakasi South parliamentary seat on an ODM ticket in the 2027 General Election.
The veteran and experienced politician also played down purported influence from Nairobi Senator and former ODM secretary general Edwin Sifuna saying he has been in politics for long will offer leadership to the party supporters.
