By Bonface Mulyungi

Governor Mutula Jrn. has conscionably claimed that kikuyu community has been politically cornered by President Ruto and is now using Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka as human shield.

Speaking at Kalonzo’s Tseikuru backyard during the burial of the Wiper Leader kin, Mutula Junior claimed that this is the second time the Gikuyu community is using Kalonzo for survival after the 2007 post-election violence during which the Late President Kibaki appointed Kalonzo Musyoka as his Vice to tame Raila Odinga and ODM.

“My father, the late Mutula Kilonzo Senior called me on 31st Dec 2007 and told me he had signed a political deal for Kalonzo to become Kenya’s Vice President, GEMA did not like but Kalonzo they wanted him as their survival.”

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The two term Makueni Senator urged the Kamba community to take advantage of GEMA misfortune and rally behind Kalonzo for the Presidency.

“Now that our Athonua ‘MASHEMEJI’ are cornered by President Ruto, we must take advantage of their misfortune and seize the presidency” Mutula Jnr. said.

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He said that Kalonzo was the most sought-after presidential candidate in Kenya and told his supporters to grab Sifuna moniker
‘MIMI NDIO SIFUNA’ by replacing it with ‘MIMI NDIO KALONZO’ as a way of bradding the wiper leader.

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Mutula said, the Gikuyu community will never vote for Kalonzo unless they are under pressure und fearing for their political lives.

“Now they are cornered, we saved them in 2007, but they abandoned us, this time President Ruto has tamed them and now they are seeking political direction through the wiper leader which we will gladly support.”

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Junior said that Kenya must make history in 2027 by rejecting what he termed as dangerous, thieves and murderous leaders rallying for Kalonzo’s presidency in 2027.

He called on the locals to reject Ruto-led projects calling them as enticement to attract cheap votes. “Even if they tell you they will build roads say one term, we must make history in this country, it will be a tragedy, they have killed our children and we can’t forget, we can’t afford to re-elect them” Mutula stated.

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Further, Mutula faulted the Kitui elected leaders who are aligning with Ruto Kenya Kwanza gov’t claiming that this is disrespect to the Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, calling for their removal through the ballot in 2027.

Governor Mutula called on youths to turn out in large numbers and register as voters inorder to exercise their democratic right in 2027 by voting for good leadership.

The Linda Mwananchi faction of the ODM Party, led by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, has vowed to remain unbowed and undeterred as thousands of supporters turned up for a public rally at Amalemba Grounds in Kakamega County.

The leaders, among them Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, Siaya Governor James Orengo, Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi, Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka among others addressed the crowd and declared that their nationwide mobilisation drive dubbed the Linda Mwananchi Tour  would continue despite political resistance and earlier security concerns.

Speaking to supporters, the leaders said they would traverse the country to champion the rights and interests of ordinary Kenyans, insisting they would not be intimidated or silenced.

Orengo launched a scathing attack on unnamed political actors, accusing them of attempting to weaken the party associated with Raila Odinga.

“He wants to kill Raila Odinga’s party. The Secretary-General of ODM remains Edwin Sifuna. This movement that has begun here in Kakamega will go all the way to the Coast, Turkana and Kisumu,” Orengo said.

He added that Raila had a clear vision anchored on a 10-point agenda and maintained that a memorandum of understanding signed earlier stipulated that ODM could not enter into a coalition arrangement.

“Raila had a vision, and that vision was the 10-point agenda. The MoU said ODM cannot form a coalition with any party,” he said.

The rally proceeded largely peacefully despite earlier concerns raised by Western Regional Police Commander Isaak Mahoud, who had claimed security agencies received intelligence suggesting that some individuals planning to attend the event could be armed.

Tension briefly flared when a teargas canister was lobbed into the gathering just as Sifuna took to the stage to address supporters. The incident caused momentary panic, but leaders quickly urged calm and restraint.

Sifuna rallied the crowd to remain composed and endure the disruption, vowing that they would not allow police action to derail the event.

“I want to tell you why I am being targeted. It is because I keep reminding William Ruto that he had an agreement with Raila Odinga to respect the rights of the people, including devolution,” Sifuna said, referring to President William Ruto.

Supporters regrouped and the rally continued under heightened security.

The leaders paused the gathering to play the national anthem in honour of a man who was killed during the faction’s rally in Kitengela last Sunday, observing a solemn moment in his memory.

They further accused the government of making promises it had failed to fulfil.

“We have said this movement will not end. Teargas cannot stop it. Hot water cannot stop it. The government cannot stop it. It must continue,” Babu Owino told the crowd.

“Listen carefully, young people. They promised that a boda boda rider would graduate from a motorcycle to owning a matatu. Who here owns a matatu? They said a mama mboga would own a supermarket. Who here owns a supermarket?” he posed.

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leaders on Saturday intensified their “Linda Ground” mobilisation drive with a major rally at Aindi Grounds in Siaya County, drawing a powerful lineup of party heavyweights from across the country

The meeting was led by ODM party leader Oburu Oginga, who is spearheading the grassroots brigade aimed at consolidating support and strengthening party structures at the local level.

He was joined by Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, Migori Governor Ochilo Ayacko, Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi, Mining Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho, National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed, among others.

The rally was hosted by Alego Usonga MP Samuel Atandi.

Treasury CS John Mbadi was also present.

ODM Party Leader Senator Oburu Oginga on Saturday told supporters that the party is not expelling dissenting members, but anyone who feels uncomfortable with ODM is free to leave.

Speaking at the Linda Ground rally in Siaya County, Oburu emphasised that the party’s focus remains on structured negotiations around policies, development programmes, and power-sharing arrangements.

“We are not expelling anybody from the party, but anybody who feels uncomfortable with us is free to leave,” he said.

He clarified that upcoming negotiations will prioritise concrete agreements on governance and power-sharing, not merely political alliances.

“We are going to negotiate on policies, development programmes and the sharing of positions, which includes the sharing of power,” Oburu said.

The ODM leader noted that the party has spent considerable time in opposition and is now determined to be part of the next government.

“There is no political party that is formed just to remain in opposition. We have been in opposition for a long time, and this time round we are going to make sure that we are in power,” he declared.

Oburu said the rally had been convened to consolidate the party’s base and chart a clear path ahead of the next General Election.

“We have gathered here in Siaya as the ODM community to discuss how to strengthen our party so that it remains a leading party. We want to remain united,” he said.

He dismissed criticism that the party was rushing into early political negotiations, arguing that preparations for elections are both normal and strategic.

“I don’t know why some people are saying we are in a hurry. We are not, because people are already preparing for the next General Election. We cannot sit back,” he said, urging critics to allow the party to organise without interference.

Oburu also said the Azimio coalition had effectively ceased to exist following ODM’s exit.

“There is an organisation called Azimio, and I want to tell you it died the same day ODM left it. We left it a long time ago, but we had not formalised it. It is no more,” he stated.

Energy CS Opiyo Wandayi supported Oburu’s remarks, noting the party’s focus remains on securing political power through lawful and structured engagement.

“Oburu is the party leader of ODM. The other camp is not in ODM, and we do not know them,” Wandayi said. He added: “Any political party strives to have power.”

Wandayi also expressed support for a pre-election negotiation pact between ODM and President William Ruto.

“President William Ruto has walked with our community for a very long time. I support the pre-election negotiations pact that Oburu is going to lead and do with President William Ruto,” he said.

Alego Usonga MP Samuel Atandi described the rally as a milestone for both the county and the party.

“We are here as an ODM party brigade. ODM is currently operating within a broad-based government arrangement and as a party, we only recognise Senator Oburu Oginga as our leader who will steer us forward.”

Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi has declared that the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has a strong pool of leaders capable of vying for the presidency, pushing back against recent remarks by party leader Oburu Oginga on the party’s political ambitions.

Osotsi dismissed claims that ODM is only interested in negotiating for junior positions, saying the party has enough leadership depth to field a presidential candidate in 2027.

“Oburu Oginga is telling us that ODM does not want the presidency and does not want the deputy presidency. We want to tell him today, here in Kakamega, that ODM has leaders who are more than qualified to be president,” Osotsi said.

Amid cheers from the crowd, the senator who was speaking at a public gathering in Kakamega, listed several party figures he said have the credentials to lead the country.

“Isn’t Sifuna qualified? Isn’t Babu qualified? Isn’t Orengo qualified? And what about Osotsi himself, isn’t he qualified?” he posed.

Osotsi’s remarks come at a time of heightened political debate within ODM over the party’s direction ahead of the 2027 General Election.

The comments follow recent statements by Oburu that have stirred controversy over the party’s bargaining position in ongoing political realignments.

According to recent reports, Oburu indicated that ODM’s engagement in coalition talks was focused on securing its “fair share” in government, including the possibility of negotiating for the Deputy President’s position.

However, Oburu has at other times sought to downplay perceptions of aggressive power demands, saying the party’s negotiations are driven by national interest rather than personal ambition. 

Speaking during an ODM delegates meeting in Mombasa on February 12, Oburu made it clear that they would be negotiating for the post in their talks with UDA.

“That Deputy President seat is what we are targeting very strongly,” Oburu said.

He argued that ODM’s national popularity and widespread support justify its demand for a powerful position in any political coalition it joins, claiming that the party deserves its “fair share” in government based on its political influence and voter base.

Oburu’s statement contradicted his earlier assurance to Kindiki on the matter.

“We are not going to look for less. But, deputy president, do not think that we want your seat or that we want to remove you from your position. You are our friend,” Oburu said in Kisumu County during the disbursement of NYOTA funds.