Two rival ODM groups are set to hold major political rallies in Machakos and Kisumu on Sunday, underscoring a widening public display of competing strategies within the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Linda Mwananchi faction, spearheaded by Senator Edwin Sifuna, Siaya Governor James Orengo and MP Babu Owino, will carry out a grassroots "economic liberation" tour in Machakos County aimed at highlighting the rising cost of living and voicing opposition to what they describe as the party leadership's increasingly cooperative posture with the national government.
Leaders of the Linda Mwananchi movement will begin the day with a church service at AIC Kyanda at 10:00 am before moving into the town centre for their first public engagement.
A mega rally is scheduled at Machakos Town at 1:00 pm, and later the delegation will head to Mlolongo for another mass meeting at 3:00 pm. Organisers say the itinerary is intended to combine moral appeal with direct engagement on everyday economic grievances affecting households.
The group has consistently framed its outreach as a populist campaign for governance, accountability and economic justice, tapping public anger over food, fuel and utility prices.
The Machakos tour has particular symbolic weight. Ukambani politics-long dominated by the Wiper Democratic Movement under Kalonzo Musyoka-has attracted intense interest from various national actors, and the presence of a prominent ODM breakaway faction in the region is likely to prompt speculation about shifting local alliances ahead of 2027.
The rally will be watched for signals about whether the Linda Mwananchi faction is attempting to broaden its geographic footprint beyond its traditional strongholds.
On the same day in Kisumu, the party's official camp which has recently abandoned the "Linda Ground" slogan - will mount a large rally under the banner "Wabiro Kisumu."
The event is expected to draw thousands of supporters and
county leaders from Kisumu, Homa Bay, Migori, Siaya and Kisii, signalling a
consolidated show of strength in the party's traditional stronghold.
Migori Governor Ochilo Ayacko, who chairs the organising committee, said elaborate logistical arrangements are in place to ensure smooth movement of supporters and orderly conduct.
"We expect a large turnout and have coordinated security, transport and crowd management to make the event peaceful and effective," he said.
ODM chairperson Gladys Wanga earlier explained the shift away from the Linda Ground branding saying the party will "stick strictly to its official identity, colours, and name," stressing that the orange brand of ODM must not be diluted by offshoot campaigns.
Wanga asserted unity under party patriarch Oburu Oginga and warned members against using confusing or unofficial campaign materials.
"We had created the Linda Ground movement to consolidate our support base, but some people came and tried to imitate it with different versions. We have now left that behind. We are ODM and the colour is orange," Wanga told delegates.
Despite the chairperson's assurances of unity, the dual rallies point to an unresolved contest over messaging and control within ODM.
