The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) brigade on Friday took the war to the doorstep of Gem Constituency MP Elisha Odhiambo who has since pledged allegiance to the party's political rival President William Ruto.
The team was led by ODM National Chairman John Mbadi, Siaya governor James Orengo, Siaya senator Oburu Oginga, National Assembly Assembly Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi and a host of other National Assembly and County Assembly lawmakers.
They visited the constituency at Kodiaga, about two kilometres away from MP Elisha's home in Mutumbu.
The ODM team had earlier shifted the venue from Mutumbu Chief's Camp, which is literally outside the compound of Elisha's parents.
Elisha is one of the eight ODM lawmakers that visited President Ruto at the State House and voted for the highly contested Finance Bill 2023 two days ago.
The impending law is set to introduce more taxes come July 1, 2023.
Despite him supporting the government, MP Elisha maintains that he wants to be the next Secretary General of the ODM party.
He will use the Secretary-General position to bring democracy to the party, Elisha says.
On Friday, the ODM bandwagon opened a new branch office in Wagai, effectively abandoning another one in the same trading centre which is under lock and key of a faction of the branch officials who are aligned to Elisha.
The new branch will be occupied by the faction led by chairman Nick Ochola.
The ODM's onslaught in Gem came against the backdrop of a looming working tour of Gem by President Ruto.
Speaking to the Star late last month, Elisha said that preparations are underway for the Head of State to tour and launch road projects and the construction of Odera Akango University at Nyamninia grounds.
Kisumu City Manager Abala Wanga, who is angling for Elisha's seat come 2027, stole the show at the event, positioning himself as the in-charge MP of the area.
"All MPs are here except one. I am the one in charge of Gem constituency as the acting member of parliament and I will be with you every weekend," Abala proclaimed.
Abala said that he will lead the collection of signatures to recall Elisha as the area MP.
"After two years we will take the signatures to parliament to ensure that there is a fresh election in Gem," Abala said.
ODM national chairman John Mbadi thanked the people of Gem for having elected ODM six piece and supporting party boss Raila Odinga.
He, however, regretted the fact that Elisha has since gone against the directives of the party that sponsored him to parliament.
"What pains me the most is that Wiper, DAP-K, Luhyas, Maasais, Turkanas and Kisiis who re members of the ODM rejected the punitive Finance Bill but a Luo approved it.
"The Luo hails from right here in Gem, the land of professors. The people of Gem, you know what to do when the right time comes," Mbadi said.
Wandayi affirmed that the ODM is the ruling party in Gem.
"In this county and region, the party that is going to continue to rule is ODM. If you are not in ODM here in Gem, and Siaya, count yourself as part of the opposition," Wandayi declared.
Wandayi explained that the party is on a mission to strengthen the party and that the troop is proceeding to Nyatike.
The Ugunja MP said that the orange party is alive and kicking and will soon dislodge President Ruto from power.
"We have an unfinished business to ensure that the illegitimate government of Ruto is dislodged from power as soon as possible," Wandayi said.
The National Assembly leader said that the opposition did their best to reject the Finance Bill but the government side used intimidation and bribery to force the bill down the throats of Kenyans.
On his part, Governor Orengo asserted that ODM is the home party for the people of Nyanza thus anyone who is running for Ruto's Kenya Kwanza is doing nothing but self-seeking.
"Raila was jailed for nine years only for Luos to be bought with a tin of beans and rice. Don't allow people who are working with the government to even address you because they have nothing to tell you," Orengo said.
The government, through the Minister of ICT Eliud Owalo, has been distributing relief food in Nyanza in what the ODM brigade say is an attempt to buy Luos.
Senator Oburu urged the people of Gem to stay steadfast in the people.
Oburu branded Elisha as jawanya (a hungry man who is desperate for food).
"Elisha is my friend but there is no friendship in politics. Elisha has gone to Kenya Kwanza for his own selfish gains," Oburu claimed.
Oburu told Elisha to forget about his Secretary General's ambition because he is working with the enemy of the ODM.
Siaya Woman MP Christine Ombaka that t is only the ODM party that has been beneficial to the people of Kenya.
She urged party supporters to remain loyal to Raila until the quest for freedom shall have been achieved.
"Politically, Elisha Odhiambo is dead. Go inter his body," Kajwang' said.
"Whoever you will next elect to represent you in Nairobi must be loyal to the ODM party."
Kajwang' warned that President Ruto is shifting Kenya from a democracy to a dictatorship.
Embakasi East MP Babu Owino told ODM supporters that the oil skin of the house should not be smeared on the skin of strangers in the Kenya Kwanza coalition and that ODM is the only house for people in Nyanza.
Rarieda MP Otiende Amolo asked Elisha to exit the ODM and go to Kenya Kwanza in peace. MPs Peter Masara (Suna West), James Nyikal (Seme), Joshua Oron(Kisumu Central), and Samuel Atandi (Alego Usonga) also attended the event.
The Kenya Kwanza administration has been making inroads in Siaya and other parts of Luo Nyanza.
The president's party, UDA, is on with membership recruitment in the region.
"If you don't want to work with the government, I will bring the government to you," ICT CS Eliud Owado said during a recent meeting with fishermen at his home in Asembo, Siaya.