Gladys Wanga Responds to Gachagua Over Claims that ODM is a Shell

This story has significance for readers across Kenya and beyond.

Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga has maintained that ODM is the largest party in Sub-Saharan Africa despite claims by DCP Leader Rigathi Gachagua that it is a shell of itself.

Speaking on Wednesday, August 9, Wanga boasted that the Orange party had the highest number of elected leaders in the country.

She stated that, for instance, 15 Governors were elected under ODM, and all of them except one were still under the Broad-based government.

"Out of the 15 governors, only one is opposed to ODM being in the Broad-based government. We have over 100 Members of Parliament. The party is firm, and we shall remain in the partnership," she stated.

Wanga further condemned the recent attack in Homa Bay County that left two dead and several others injured as rival groups clashed during the Linda Mwananchi rally.

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She called for peaceful coexistence among the people despite them being on different sides of the political divide.

"I am pleading with you, let us live in peace. The other day I was here and pleaded with you to let even those with different political views speak their minds and live in peace," Wanga stated.

The ODM National Chairperson maintained that the party was democratic and as such, should not be linked to political intolerance. She also urged political opponents not to provoke the locals.

"Those who are coming to campaign should not come with machetes and guns because politics is not war. They should humble themselves so that they can freely engage with the people and go," she reiterated.

Her sentiments came after Gachagua claimed that the ODM that was left in the Broad-based government was a shell of the grand party it once was.

The former Deputy President stated that Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and Governor James Orengo had taken over the original ODM, while he inherited the supporters from the Maasai region.

Reporting originally appeared via Nairobi Leo. Read the full source for additional context.