The leader of Azimio la Umoja One in Kenya, Raila Odinga, will hold a demanding two-day event in his Nyanza backyard to rally support despite a fierce attack from President William Ruto.
The event called the Piny Luo Extravaganza, has been billed as a cultural celebration to introduce the new chairman of the Council of Elders, but analysts say it has a lot of political overtones. Governor Gladys Wanga will host the event in Homa Bay on Friday and Saturday, and Odinga is anticipated to also preside over the opening of the new Raila Odinga Stadium.
Governor Wanga said on Thursday, that the event will bring together the entire Luo nation to “reflect on our heritage, culture, ways, and traditions and strategise on our future together”.
“The entire Luo nation and its leadership will attend, including the PM (Odinga), governors, speakers, MCAs, elders, clergy, and the private sector, among others,” Ms. Wanga said, adding that the event is significant for the heritage and unity of the Luo people.
The event comes hot on the heels of a series of political activities by ODM leaders in the region to check-mate perceived party rebels in the region. In an effort to popularise the party and incite political sentiment against the rebels, ODM’s top legislators and leadership last week started visiting the rebels’ backyards. The first two gatherings took place in the districts of Gem and Nyatike.
Opiyo Wandayi, director of political affairs for the ODM and minority leader in the National Assembly, predicted that attendees would come from all over the nation and East Africa.
“The two-day event is significant as it brings together the leadership of the Luo community, from cultural, political, religious, business, youth, and women to professionals, under one umbrella to deliberate on matters concerning the Luo nation,” the Ugunja MP said.
He claimed that as it plots the future, the leadership will review the community’s accomplishments over the years and potential setbacks during the meeting.
The event, which is in its third iteration since its debut in 2016, will feature Mr. Odinga as its chief guest. Speaking on the two previous occasions, Odinga mainly discussed national concerns and exhorted the community to continue its unwavering pursuit of liberation.
For the first time in his political career, Odinga is dealing with organised opposition from a sizeable group of leaders in his own neighbourhood, including some who were chosen by his ODM party.
The rural MP for Odinga, Gideon Ochanda (Bondo), as well as the lawmakers Mark Nyamita (Uriri), Paul Abuor (Rongo), Elisha Odhiambo (Gem), Caroli Omondi (Suba South), David Ochieng’ (Ugenya), and Prof. Tom Ojienda (Kisumu Senator) openly support President Ruto’s administration.
In Nyanza, a few former ODM governors and lawmakers have switched their allegiance to President Ruto. They are former governors Nicholas Gumbo (Siaya), Jack Ranguma (Kisumu), Okoth Obado (Migori), and Evans Kidero (Nairobi). Former members of parliament include Jared Opiyo, Rose Nyamunga, Augustine Neto, Silvance Osele, Martin Ogindo, and Fred Outa.
However, Odinga’s allies have dismissed the opposition to his political hegemony in the area. Last week, while visiting Gem, Wandayi declared that the political uprising that is brewing in the former Prime Minister’s backyard would be put down. He urged those who disagreed with the ODM party boss’s leadership to resign and start new political organisations.
“We want to assure you that any such rebellion will be crushed convincingly. If you feel you have the capacity to challenge ODM, please go ahead and form your own party,” Wandayi said.
Governor James Orengo of Siaya urged those requesting favours from the Kenya Kwanza government to do so with respect and insisted that the ODM chief must be respected.
“We shall not accept a few people to undermine Raila Odinga,” he said.