Energy cabinet secretary, James Opiyo Wandayi has told the Linda Mwananchi faction of the Orange Democratic Movement to stop peddling violence in Nyanza region, but form a political party to face off with ODM in the 2027 General Election.

According to Wandayi, it is foolhardy for Linda Mwananchi “faction” leaders to move around criticising the broad-based government initiatives, but lack guts to form and register a political party.

Fact-checked, the minister’s allegations are obviously or deliberately inaccurate as Linda Mwananchi Movement has already declared autonomy from ODM and has applied for registration as a political.

Notably, Wandayi unqualified allegations of violence were made against the backdrop of warnings by Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma, Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga against holding rallies in the region to campaign against Ruto.

On Sunday, the Linda Mwanancho convoy led by Siaya Governor James Orengo came under a hail of stones in Ndhiwa constituency en-route to a Lind Mwananchi rally in Homa Bay town.

Kaluma and Wanga had warned that they would deploy goons to scuttle the Linda Mwananchi rally in the town.

Wanga, Kaluma and Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi have in the past openly declared that they cannot be led by a Luhyia (or Abandu), hence their allegiance to Ruto – a fellow Nilote.

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna – a Luhyia – is the face of Linda Mwananchi and his appeal to the electorate has elicited massive interest from youthful voters. Sifuna’s ethnicity is the main reason ODM sacked him as the party’s secretary-general.

“Stop peddling violence in our region. If you have the muscle to compete with us, form a political party so that we face each other” said the cabinet secretary who was addressing a public rally at Asere village in Ugunja constituency.

Wandayi said that the government of President William Ruto has done a lot to ensure that Kenyans enjoy not only development initiatives but also affordable cost of living. The minister cited the latest fuel price review that brought down the cost of Diesel by about five shillings and maintained the price of petrol and kerosene.

“We have used a subsidy of one billion shillings to ensure the price of petrol and kerosene is not hiked,” he said.

On electrification in Siaya, Wandayi said the government has set aside more than Ksh2.2 billion for rural electrification in the county. He said the amount was enough to connect over 25,000 households to the national grid and called for patience amongst residents that are not connected.

He called on Siaya residents to ensure that they turn up in large numbers during the August 2027 General Election and vote in broad based allied candidates, led by president Ruto.

Addressing the occasion, Nyando MP Jared Okello accused the opposition of constantly criticising the government without offering alternative.

“Nobody in that camp can steer this country to greater heights than what Ruto has done,” he said adding, “As a community, we have made a decision to work with President Ruto not only now, but in the nearest future and longest future to come”.

The occasion was also addressed by Ugunja MP Moses Omondi and a host of members of the Siaya County Assembly.

•  A Tell Media / KNA report / By Philip Onyango.

James Opiyo Wandayi – Energy and Petroleum CS