Shame: Migori leaders begin beating war drums targeting Linda Mwananchi ahead of tour

Migori Governor Ochilo Ayacko.[File, Standard]

Keen to capitalise on the failure by the government to crack down on violent political rhetoric targeting the opposition, political leaders from Migori have begun mobilisation efforts to block Linda Mwananchi from holding a rally in the area.

The government is unbothered and an accomplice in a dangerous precedent that is rapidly shaping political conversations as ODM leaders resort to violence, intimidation, and goonism in an embarrassing attempt to stifle competition.

Although the Linda Mwanainchi brigade are yet to confirm the date of its proposed rally to Migori, they have already made it clear that the county is among their next planned destinations after their Sunday’s rally in Meru.

At the weekend, a section of leaders led by Governor Ochillo Ayacko, Nyatike MP Tom Odege and Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi began beating war drums akin to the script that Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga used to push back against the group.

On Saturday, what was billed as a women economic empowerment gathering quickly acquired a political dimension, with the speakers invoking the 2027 elections, President William Ruto's political prospects, the future of Luo leadership and the possibility of political mobilisation in Migori.

Governor Ayacko criticised Orengo over his recent political activities in Homa Bay and questioned why the veteran politician should seek to visit Migori.

“Orengo's going to Homa Bay caused the death of 11 people, including a police officer. It destroyed property, injuries and burning of vehicles because he declared he would go to the county,” Ayacko said.

The governor then asked the crowd whether it wanted Orengo to come to Migori.

“How many people don't want him to come to Migori County to lift their hands?” he asked.

He subsequently asked the crowd to declare that they did not want Orengo to set foot in the county, prompting chants from supporters agreeing with the governor.

Additionally, the governor called for what he described as the unity and consolidation of Luo Nyanza votes ahead of the 2027 elections.

“The unity of Luo Nyanza people and consolidation of votes ahead of the 2027 electioneering period is important,” Ayacko said.

The governor argued that political alliances should be viewed strategically and suggested that the Luo community could reconsider its political choices after the 2027 elections.

“We are not saying that voting for other people is bad. We can do that past 2027,” he said.

Ayacko also sought to make the case for a political relationship between the Luo community and President William Ruto, invoking historical connections to justify his position.

“When you hear people saying that no Luo will be in the ballot for the presidential seat in 2027, that is true. However, we have one of our own whom we are connected to historically as grandchildren of Sinakuru Kukulubanga of Dognam, who is President William Ruto,” he said.

Although the Linda Mwananchi team has not confirmed the date of its Migori rally, the increasingly hostile rhetoric from some county leaders suggests that any such event could become a major political flashpoint.

The governor, however, insisted that Migori was a peaceful county whose residents were primarily interested in development.

“In Migori County, we want development. We want collaborative partnerships, jobs and roads. We don't want disturbance from anyone, and we don't want violence. We are good people,” Governor Ayacko said.

But Ayacko's language remained combative as he continued his attack on Orengo, saying the veteran politician should leave Migori alone.

“We hear him say proudly that he will come to Migori County. He is someone who is looking for deaths and blood and destruction. He should leave us alone,” Ayacko said.

The governor also criticised Orengo over his comments on the state of roads in Homa Bay, arguing that political leaders should focus on finding solutions rather than highlighting problems.

Ayacko said Migori had historically been deprived of adequate development opportunities and urged residents to focus on projects rather than political confrontation.

“For sixty years, we didn't get the opportunity to benefit from development projects. Our county needs so many things. We don't want violence,” he said.

He also pointed to the planned construction of a polytechnic, saying Sh8 million had been set aside and that land for the project was already available.

Nyatike MP Tom Odege reinforced the governor's position, declaring that residents of the constituency had already made a political decision to support the national government.

“As Nyatike people, we have made a decision to support the government, and we are not going to change,” Odege said.

He went further, effectively framing political support for the government as a test of belonging.

“Anyone who is not supporting the government is not part of us,” he said.

At a separate event, Odege also claimed that they will only accept Orengo if he comes in peace, adding,”if he comes in peace, we will welcome him, but if he comes with insults, we will meet him”.

Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi, who also addressed the gathering, joined the criticism of Orengo, focusing on the former minister's record in government and the state of infrastructure in Nyanza.

“Orengo surprises me. Orengo became a minister like me for five good years. He never brought any title deed in Homa Bay or Migori Counties,” Mbadi said.

He questioned Orengo's record on development and argued that residents had not benefited sufficiently during his time in national government.

Mbadi said Orengo had left behind inadequate infrastructure and contrasted that record with the ongoing road construction programme under the current administration.

The Cabinet secretary also took a swipe at Orengo's criticism of roads in Homa Bay, arguing that the current government was already addressing the problem.

“He is criticising Homa Bay roads yet I have been a minister for only two years, and already the roads in Homa Bay are being constructed,” Mbadi said.

The developments have raised questions about the increasingly confrontational language being deployed by political leaders in Nyanza even before the Linda Mwananchi team has announced an actual date for its Migori rally.

Moreover, the language of exclusion, threats of confrontation and appeals for crowds to reject particular politicians risks  turning ordinary political competition into a contest over who is allowed to campaign where.

That concern becomes more serious in a region where political gatherings have previously generated clashes and where rival factions are competing for influence ahead of the 2027 elections.