Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leaders who have been blowing hot and cold over their support for President William Ruto’s re-election bid are beginning to feel the heat on the ground, with voters in Nyanza demanding that they take a clear position ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The heckling of Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo, who is also the National Assembly Minority Chief Whip, in Kisumu on Sunday laid bare the growing unease among voters with leaders perceived to be straddling the opposition and the broad-based government.
Ms Odhiambo, who is serving her fourth term in Parliament, had a difficult time addressing Kisumu residents during a meeting hosted by President Ruto for Nyanza leaders on his first tour of the vote-rich region.
Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo addresses the media at Parliament Buildings, Nairobi on January 5, 2026.
Photo credit: Lucy Wanjiru | Nation Media Group
As she addressed the gathering, residents waved their hands in displeasure and shouted her down, daring her to stop sitting on the fence ahead of the polls.
“Those who support Ruto, raise your hands. What is nice is being repeated. Me, Amillo, gesa gesa, you are making noise for me? I was born with tough-headedness, and I support Ruto the way I want. And I’m telling you, I don’t care,” said Ms Odhiambo.
“I have spoken by force, and you can’t threaten a lioness,” she added.
The hostile reception for Ms Odhiambo, who has been perceived to lean towards the Linda Mwananchi movement, could spell trouble for leaders who have remained lukewarm in their support for the party or President Ruto.
Other ODM leaders seen as sitting on the fence include Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo, EALA MP Winnie Odinga, Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang’ and Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga.
Mr Amollo and Mr Kajwang’ attended the Kisumu meeting but were not heckled as they rallied the region behind President Ruto’s re-election.
“Had Mzee Oburu been here, he would have said we want power because we can’t be without power. Mr President, we want to support you for what you have done for our region, what you are doing and what you intend to do for our region. We will support you unconditionally…” said Mr Kajwang’.
Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang'.
Photo credit: Alex Odhiambo | Nation Media Group
“Babu, don’t joke with Nairobi, take Nairobi. With as many of the same opinions, say aye,” Mr Kajwang’ told the mourners.
The senator is among leaders who avoided taking a public stand when Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna was being pushed out of the party after he fell out with Dr Oburu Oginga.
Dr Oginga has previously said it would be difficult to support Mr Owino in the Nairobi gubernatorial contest if he sides with the opposition.
Mr Amollo also changed tune, saying he supports President Ruto because of his recognition of the late Raila Odinga, ongoing development projects and the Standard Gauge Railway extension to Kisumu.
“We will be reducing this commitment to a written document. We are asking you to continue supporting us (ODM) as the largest and most influential party in this county,” said Mr Amollo.
Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo.
Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group
“There is nothing like fence-sitting. People have drifted away from the party. Those of us remaining where the party has been can’t be accused of fence-sitting,” said the Rarieda legislator.
Winnie Odinga addresses a political rally at Kamukunji Grounds in Kibera, Nairobi, on January 18,2026.
Photo credit: Evans Habil | Nation Media Group
Ms Winnie Odinga has also gone quiet. She has not been seen at key ODM political events. She recently told the Nation that she was concentrating on preparations for her father’s first anniversary, after Kibra MP Peter Orero said she had confided in him that she would seek the Nairobi Senate seat.
Ms Ruth Odinga, however, did not attend the Kisumu meeting as she was accompanying Dr Oburu Oginga, who is undergoing a routine medical check-up in the United Kingdom.
Kisumu County Woman Representative Ruth Odinga.
Photo credit: Sila Kiplagat | Nation Media Group
The Kisumu Woman Representative opposed the removal of Mr Sifuna from ODM and has also been blowing hot and cold over her support for President Ruto.
Ms Ruth has previously said ODM has leaders capable of vying for the presidency and should not rush into an alliance with UDA without careful consideration.
Apart from the perceived fence-sitters, Siaya Governor James Orengo and Suba South MP Caroli Omondi are among the elected leaders who have openly opposed President Ruto’s bid for a second term.
The presence of Raila Odinga Jnr, a Kibra MP aspirant and son of the late former Prime Minister, at the meeting also highlighted the uncertainty within a section of the Odinga family over who to support in 2027.
“Because you shared a vision and ideas with my late father, I fully support you,” said Raila Jnr, while calling on Nyanza residents to remain in ODM.
A TIFA opinion poll released on July 26 showed President Ruto as the most popular presidential candidate in Nyanza, with a 30 per cent rating.
Political analyst Javas Bigambo said neutrality could only work for a short time before political pressure boiled over.
“What happened to Millie shows those sitting on the fence are sitting on a time bomb, and the voters are uncomfortable with them. Voters want warriors and you can’t be neutral at a time of war and even God hates sin and can never be neutral,” said Mr Bigambo.
“Even an independent candidate can beat a fence-sitter because they chose a side against two forces. For Millie, some of the statements she has been making have been interpreted as being friendly to the Linda Mwananchi group,” he added.
Mr Bigambo said some leaders, including Mr Amollo, had gone quiet despite previously defending the late Mr Odinga vigorously, leaving voters questioning their current political position.
