Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga has appealed for calm and political tolerance as parties intensify activities ahead of the planned Linda Mwananchi rally scheduled for August 16.
Addressing residents at Anding’o Primary School in Rachuonyo East Sub-County, Wanga said every political party has a constitutional right to campaign in any part of the country and urged residents to embrace peaceful coexistence regardless of political affiliation.
The governor cautioned against violence and political intolerance, stressing that competition among leaders should not divide communities.
“Anyone is free to tour any part of the country and campaign for their agenda. Let us not fight or shed blood because of politics. We are one family and one nation,” she said.
She also urged young people not to allow themselves to be used to fuel political confrontations, saying democratic competition should be conducted peacefully.
While reiterating her support for a multi-party democracy, Wanga said ODM remains firmly rooted in Homa Bay and that the party’s supporters continue to stand behind its leadership.
She noted that ODM is focused on strengthening its grassroots structures, recruiting more members and pursuing its development agenda while continuing to support the broad-based government led by President William Ruto.
According to Wanga, the party’s backing of the broad-based arrangement is based on what she described as the fair distribution of national development projects across different parts of the country.
She pointed to counties including Tana River, Meru, Kajiado, Busia and Homa Bay as beneficiaries of government programmes, saying the projects demonstrate a commitment to inclusive national development.
The governor also ruled out any possibility of ODM partnering with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, arguing that the party does not share his political approach.
She accused Gachagua of promoting exclusionary politics that she said overlooks the interests of smaller communities.
