Vihiga residents declare a no-go for ODM leaders after the brutal attack on Senator Godfrey Osotsi in Kisumu, saying ODM is now for the Luos only. The strong message has spread quickly through Western Kenya and left many wondering how far political anger can push old alliances apart.
The residents spoke out clearly in the hours following the cafe assault. They said all of them came from ODM with Oburu Odinga, but now ODM leaders should never set foot in Vihiga again. One local voice added that if the leaders want a meeting, they should bring their people from Kisumu instead.
The words carried real hurt and frustration after goons allegedly funded by Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo targeted Osotsi while he sat for a meal. The senator had to defend himself as the attackers rushed in and the whole incident played out on camera for everyone to see.
The people of Vihiga believe that the attack was excessive. Many families there once stood firmly behind ODM during tough election fights. They remember campaigning together and sharing platforms with leaders from Nyanza.
Now the trust has broken. Residents say they will not welcome ODM figures for rallies or even private visits until things change. Some point to the growing influence of UDA in the area and say the party has delivered more visible projects lately. Others simply feel let down by how former friends handled disagreements and now want distance to protect their own peace.
The declaration has stirred fresh debate in Western Kenya. Market women in Mbale and Chavakali talked about it while selling produce, and many agreed the time for blind loyalty is over.
Young men who ride boda bodas shared the news in their groups and asked why leaders from one side would allow violence against a fellow politician. Even older voters who stuck with ODM through the years said the attack felt personal, and they support the ban until apologies and answers come. The mood in the county feels tense but determined, as if residents have drawn a clear boundary.
Political players have reacted in different ways. Some ODM officials called the statement unfortunate and said it plays into the hands of their opponents. They argue that unity should matter more than one bad incident and that skipping entire regions only hurts development.
The attack itself still raises many questions. Goons stormed a busy Java House cafe in Kisumu and targeted the senator in broad daylight. Witnesses described the speed and coordination, and the CCTV footage left little doubt about what happened.
Leaders have named names, and the alleged funding link to a principal secretary has added fuel to the fire. Vihiga residents see the whole episode as part of a bigger pattern where political differences turn ugly instead of staying in the debating hall.
This moment also highlights how fast loyalties can shift in Kenyan politics. Vihiga sits in a strategic spot within Western Kenya, and its voters have swung between parties before.
As the days pass the focus stays on whether ODM leaders will respect the ban or try to force their way back into Vihiga. Residents have made their position clear, and the ball now sits in the court of those who once counted the area as home ground. The attack on Osotsi may have been the spark, but the deeper issues of trust and delivery have kept the fire burning. Vihiga residents declare a no-go for ODM leaders, and that simple statement has opened a new chapter in how Western Kenya talks to its former allies.