By WAKHUNGU ANDANJE
JULY 27, 2026| Leaders from the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) faction aligned with the broad-based government have rallied support for President William Ruto’s second term, while making unverified claims against former President Uhuru Kenyatta.
The rally, held at Malava Primary School in Kakamega County, was led by Cooperatives Cabinet Secretary and ODM Deputy Party Leader Wycliffe Oparanya. It brought together a section of Kakamega County leaders to pledge their support for President Ruto’s re-election bid, contingent on securing the deputy president slot for the Western region in 2027.
Unsubstantiated Claims Against Kenyatta
ODM Director of Elections Junet Mohammed accused retired President Uhuru Kenyatta of financing a splinter opposition group led by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna. Mohammed alleged that Kenyatta’s goal was to sabotage President Ruto’s support base, particularly in Western Kenya. Oparanya and other speakers echoed these allegations, but provided no verifiable evidence to support their claims.
Rival Rallies and Shifting Political Winds
The Malava rally took place on the same day President Ruto held a separate function in Busia County. Reports from the region indicated that while the Kakamega event drew a notable crowd of local leaders, the rival Linda Mwananchi faction’s rallies have gained significant momentum across Western Kenya. Specifically, rallies in Kitale (Trans Nzoia) and Bungoma led by Senator Sifuna were reportedly larger, drawing thousands of supporters and generating considerable political buzz.
Sifuna’s Growing Influence
The recent Sifuna-led rallies are being seen as part of a generational shift in Luhya politics. This wave, which includes figures like Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya, is challenging the dominance of older politicians. Political observers note that Oparanya, along with Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, represent an older generation of Luhya leaders who are struggling to maintain their influence against the rising popularity of figures like Sifuna, who is seen as embodying a more youthful and assertive political approach.
During the Bungoma rally, Sifuna and his allies criticized the government and indicated they were seeking to form a new political vehicle for the opposition, distinct from the ODM faction that joined the government.