Homa Bay is bracing for a politically charged weekend after Governor Gladys Wanga raised the alarm over what she claims is a plan to disrupt the upcoming Linda Mwananchi rally.
Wanga has accused former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua of mobilising youths from outside Homa Bay, including from Nyeri and Githurai, to cause trouble during the opposition gathering.
Her claims have added a fresh layer of tension to an already heated political environment as rival camps increasingly position themselves ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Wanga: We don’t want trouble
Speaking during a women’s empowerment event in Nyakach, Wanga said she had no problem with Linda Mwananchi holding its rally in Homa Bay.
Her warning, however, was that the visitors should come peacefully.
The governor claimed that outsiders had allegedly been brought into the county with the intention of creating chaos and later blaming the county government.
She challenged the organisers to conduct their political activities without provoking residents.
Wanga’s message was blunt: come, hold your meeting and leave peacefully.
The governor also accused Gachagua of repeatedly dragging her name and that of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga into his political attacks.
Gachagua comes under fire
Wanga did not spare Gachagua as she questioned his political strategy and dismissed his political outfit as a “village party.”
She maintained that ODM remains a national political movement with supporters across the country.
Her remarks reflect the increasingly bitter exchanges between political camps seeking to establish themselves ahead of the 2027 elections.
For Gachagua and his allies, expanding their political influence beyond Central Kenya remains a key objective.
For ODM leaders such as Wanga, protecting their traditional political strongholds is equally important.
Linda Mwananchi rally becomes political flashpoint
The controversy surrounds a planned Linda Mwananchi rally in Homa Bay on Sunday, August 16, 2026.
The movement has attracted several prominent opposition figures, including Siaya Governor James Orengo and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino.
Leaders associated with the movement have previously alleged that there were attempts to interfere with their meetings.
However, the allegations of planned disruption have not been independently verified.
The competing claims have nevertheless raised concerns about whether political rivalry could spill over into confrontations between supporters.
Security preparations intensified
With the rally drawing increasing attention, security has also become a major issue.
Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo has assured opposition leaders that adequate security will be provided during the gathering.
That assurance will be closely watched, particularly given Kenya’s history of political rallies sometimes turning chaotic when rival groups meet.
For residents of Homa Bay, the expectation is straightforward: politicians should compete for votes without putting ordinary people at risk.
2027 politics already heating up
The Homa Bay drama is another sign that Kenya’s 2027 political battle is already taking shape.
Gachagua is working to build a broader political coalition, while ODM continues to consolidate its influence in regions where it has traditionally enjoyed strong support.
And Homa Bay is no ordinary political ground.
The county remains one of ODM’s important political bases, making any major opposition rally there a significant event.
For now, Wanga says she has no problem with Linda Mwananchi coming to Homa Bay.
But she has issued a clear warning:
Bring politics—not chaos.
