Kisumu County Woman Representative Ruth Odinga has praised residents of Kisumu for what she described as a powerful display of peace and democratic maturity, even amid political tension surrounding the Linda Mwananchi rally.
In a statement shared on her Facebook page, Ruth expressed gratitude to locals for maintaining calm and civility despite what she termed as provocation from a section of leaders opposed to the meeting.
“To the people of Kisumu, I say a heartfelt thank you. Today, you demonstrated to the world that Kisumu remains a bastion of peace and democratic maturity. Despite the tension fueled by a few, you chose to engage with dignity and decorum,” she wrote.
However, the legislator strongly criticised unnamed leaders she accused of financing and mobilising youth to disrupt the gathering. She said the plan ultimately failed after many young people declined to be drawn into what she termed political sabotage.
“It is a matter of public record that certain leaders attempted to block this meeting, going as far as mobilising and funding a section of our youth to disrupt the rally. Fortunately, their attempts backfired. You saw through these tactics and refused to be used as pawns,” she added.
Ruth further used the incident to call out what she described as outdated transactional politics, warning that the practice undermines democracy and insults voters.
“I want to be very clear: transactional politics has no room in our present times. The days of treating our youth as ‘hired muscles’ are over. ‘Politics of the pocket’ is a direct insult to the intelligence of our voters and a threat to democracy,” she stated.
She also emphasised the importance of constitutional freedoms, noting that the rights to movement and association are fundamental and must be respected by all political actors.
“The freedoms of movement and association are not favours granted by individuals; they are sacred rights enshrined in our Bill of Rights. True leaders win hearts and minds through dialogue and ideas, not intimidation or exploitation of our young people,” she said.
Her remarks come in the wake of heightened political activity in Kisumu, where competing factions have recently clashed over the organisation of public rallies.
