As Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leaders ramp up grassroots mobilization across Siaya County, local politicians are drawing strict territorial boundaries even as top county leadership champions broader national inclusivity and freedom of movement.
Speaking during an ODM delegates meeting in Bondo town, Alego Usonga Member of Parliament Samuel Atandi assured local political aspirants that the party will conduct free, fair, and transparent nominations. Flanked by Bondo MP Gideon Ochanda and various ODM aspirants, Atandi addressed concerns regarding party primaries and future political alignments.
”We want to assure all aspirants within the ODM party family that there will be free and fair nominations,” Atandi stated. “You should just go out and campaign and talk to our members. After this, we are going to have free and fair nominations for everybody, including myself I will face nominations in my constituency.”
Atandi also sought to quell anxiety over potential joint political arrangements, noting that discussions regarding the coalition framework with the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) have already reached a conclusion. He emphasized that local attention should remain fixed on voter registration, mobilization, and backing President William Ruto, rather than internal friction.
Reiterating the party’s regional dominance, Atandi drew a firm line regarding local elective seats.
”Siaya is ODM zone,” Atandi declared. “Nobody should cheat you that UDA will field a candidate here… Only ODM candidates will be fielded here.”
Meanwhile, speaking elsewhere in West Yimbo, Bondo sub-county, during the commissioning of the Nyenye Misori Dispensary, Siaya Governor James Orengo shifted focus to national governance and the protection of civil liberties.
Orengo strongly defended the freedom of movement and political expression for all Kenyans, arguing that no community should be locked out of any part of the country. Drawing from historical political struggles, the governor criticized any acts of political intolerance or violence.
”We want Kenya to be opened up for every community, for every community. There should be no closed areas,” Orengo said. “When we were struggling for multiparty, we were not allowed to go to Rift Valley. We have been told that if you say ‘multiparty’, vidole zitakatwa, but we still went there.”
Condemning recent political skirmishes, Orengo explicitly referenced incidents involving leaders in various regions, describing such actions as shameful and counterproductive to a democratic society.
”What happened to Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka in Migori, in Uriri, that is shameless, shameful, and should not happen in a democratic country,” Orengo asserted.
The governor concluded by affirming his commitment to working across political divides to ensure the country stays on a progressive path.
