From Jaramogi to Raila: Homa Bay violence reignites Luo Nyanza’s old political wars

This story has significance for readers across Kenya and beyond.

The chaos and violence witnessed during the Linda Mwananchi rallies in Homa Bay on Sunday have rekindled memories of the bitter political rivalries and falling-outs that engulfed the Luo Nation following the death of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, the region’s political supremo and one of Kenya’s leading nationalists before and after Independence.

Nearly three decades later, the region is once again undergoing a political transition following the death of former ODM leader Raila Odinga, leaving a leadership vacuum and exposing deep divisions among politicians competing to shape the community’s political direction.

At the centre of the latest falling-out is the political outfit carved out of ODM and led by Siaya Governor James Orengo, Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino. The group is locked in an increasingly bitter contest with a faction led by Raila’s elder brother and ODM successor, Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga.

Which way to 2027?

The immediate fault line is the region’s political position ahead of the 2027 General Election. Dr Oburu’s faction is advocating support for President William Ruto’s re-election, while the Mr Orengo wing is pushing for ODM to field its own presidential candidate. The latter group has also accused Dr Ruto of exploiting divisions within the party.

The confrontation in Homa Bay has, therefore, taken on significance beyond the violence witnessed on Sunday and revived memories of an earlier era when political competition over the leadership of the Luo community repeatedly spilled into bitter confrontations.

One of the most dramatic episodes occurred on April 24, 1999, when the rivalry between Raila and Mr Orengo reached a crescendo during a fundraiser in Ugunja, then part of Ugenya, then represented by the latter. The two leaders had engaged in a public war of words in the run-up to the event, with Mr Orengo warning Raila against setting foot in his constituency.

Raila was then leading the National Development Party (NDP), which had emerged as the dominant political force in Luo Nation after the 1997 General Election, dislodging Ford Kenya, the party on whose ticket Mr Orengo was re-elected while backing Michael Wamalwa’s presidential bid.

Mr Orengo had the backing of a number of prominent politicians, among them current Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o and former Gem MP Joe Donde. Prof Nyong’o had lost his Kisumu Rural seat, now Seme, while Mr Donde had retained his Gem seat on a Ford Kenya ticket.

Dr Nyong’o had been nominated to Parliament through the Social Democratic Party (SDP), then led by Charity Ngilu. On Raila’s side was a crop of youthful politicians, including Mbita MP Otieno Kajwang’ and Ndhiwa’s Orwa Ojode “Sirkal”, as well as Kisumu Town West MP Job Omino, who later became Deputy Speaker after Narc won in 2002.

The Ugenya fundraiser turned into a major political confrontation. Dressed in a traditional Nigerian agbada, Raila arrived accompanied by supporters chanting “Amollo Tinga”, his NDP campaign slogan. Mr Orengo arrived with his own supporters, setting the stage for a confrontation. Violence soon erupted, leaving several people injured.

Police, some accompanied by sniffer dogs, struggled to separate the rival groups as the camps fought and traded insults, with teargas filling the air as officers confronted youths armed with clubs and whips. Security officers mounted roadblocks around the area. At one point, Mr Orengo had to flee into a tree plantation, where he spoke to journalists.

“Many vehicles came to Ugenya, lorries loaded, matatus and those who are there are not Ugenya people. They have been hired and paid a lot of money to attend the function,” Mr Orengo said at the time, accusing Raila of importing his supporters into the constituency.

From the podium, Raila questioned Mr Orengo’s presence at the event and declared himself ready for a political duel. “Who spoke to him and invited him for this function?” Raila asked, adding that his party’s security team could contain any violence.

The rivalry also played out in Kisumu where Raila struggled to hold political meetings amid tensions with the late Kisumu Mayor Akinyi Oile, a political ally of then President Daniel arap Moi. Youths linked to the mayor repeatedly disrupted Raila’s meetings and on some occasions, forced him out of the city.

The political rivalries of the 1990s were rooted in the struggle to determine who would succeed Jaramogi as the dominant political voice of the Luo community.

That contest intensified after Jaramogi’s death in 1994 when Mr Orengo and Raila found themselves on opposing sides in the battle for the Ford Kenya vice-chairmanship. Mr Orengo won the position by a single vote. Raila alleged foul play and, angered by the backing Mr Orengo had received from Mr Wamalwa, whom he had backed for the chairperson’s seat, would mount a challenge for the party leadership against the then Saboti MP.

The contest culminated in a charged Ford Kenya leadership election at Thika Stadium on March 18, 1995, which descended into chaos with an attempt reportedly made on Raila’s life. Anglican Archbishop Manasses Kuria attempted to broker a settlement between Raila and Mr Wamalwa, but his efforts failed.

Raila subsequently resigned from Ford Kenya, formed NDP and successfully sought re-election in a by-election in 1996.

The political battles that followed helped shape Luo Nation’s politics for decades, with Raila emerging as the region’s undisputed political supremo. Now, with Raila no longer in the picture, a similar struggle appears to be taking shape, only this time involving his older brother.

Mr Orengo’s camp also has Suba South MP Caroli Omondi. Dr Oburu has the backing of Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga and Cabinet Secretaries Opiyo Wandayi and John Mbadi, among others.

Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo and Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga have largely remained on the sidelines of the emerging contest.

Reporting originally appeared via Nation Africa. Read the full source for additional context.