Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga told party members in Kisumu that ODM has dropped its Linda Ground slogan as it works to stay united behind Oburu Oginga. She made the call during a meeting with aspirants on May 25, 2026, aiming to clear confusion and keep everyone focused on the official party ahead of upcoming polls.
The announcement came at a consultative gathering in Kisumu where Wanga, who chairs ODM, addressed concerns about internal rifts following the passing of Raila Odinga.
She stood before a crowd of supporters wearing orange, speaking with energy about sticking together. Many in the room nodded along as she laid out the way forward for the party in its Nyanza strongholds.
Wanga Explains the Shift Away from Linda Ground
In her speech to the gathering in Kisumu, Wanga said they had decided to leave the slogan behind. “We have abandoned the Linda Ground slogan. We are the ODM party under Doctor Oburu Odinga,” she declared firmly. She explained that the party had created a movement, but others without enough imagination took it over, so they chose to move on.
Her words were significant in the hall, where aspirants had come to hear directly from the leadership. Wanga urged everyone to use proper ODM branding on their materials and posters. “When you do your poster, when you do your materials, it’s ODM,” she stressed.
She added that the party remains steady and strong under Oburu, dismissing talk of different factions. “There are no factions in ODM. The party is led by Oburu Oginga, who is our party leader. Anything else is just a filter,” she said.
The room felt charged as she spoke. Supporters clapped at key moments, especially when she reassured them about the party’s direction. Wanga said they wanted this meeting before the registration window closed at the end of June so members could gain confidence in each other and in the leadership.
Oburu’s Role and Calls for Steady Branding
Wanga kept bringing the focus back to Oburu Oginga, Raila’s brother, as the clear leader. She told the crowd they needed to rally as one. “The party remains steady, the party remains strong, and the party remains one under Doctor Oburu Odinga as our party leader,” she repeated in her address.
Her message landed amid ongoing chatter in Kenyan political circles about what happens next for ODM after Raila’s exit to the African Union role. Some party voices, including Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, had pushed back on certain directions, but Wanga worked to project calm and togetherness.
She warned against letting outsiders or confused branding pull them apart. “Anything else labda wanajiitarisha kutengeneza chama ingine hatujui,” she added in a mix that drew laughs and agreement from the audience.
People who attended described the mood as determined. Aspirants from different counties in the region left with clearer instructions on how to campaign under the ODM banner.
Wanga, known for her straightforward style, did not shy away from addressing the noise around factions. She insisted the party was preparing together for the next general election.
What the Change Means for ODM Aspirants
This shift comes at a busy time for Kenyan politics, with party registrations and candidate preparations intensifying. In Kisumu, the air carried the usual mix of excitement and tension that marks these meetings.
Orange caps dotted the crowd, a familiar sight at ODM events, though this time the talk centred on discipline and unity.
Wanga’s push for official branding aims to avoid the mixed messages that have popped up lately. Some observers in Nairobi noted that dropping Linda Ground could help streamline efforts, especially in areas where the party has traditionally done well. Others wonder if it signals a broader effort to tighten control as 2027 approaches.
She encouraged aspirants to stay focused. In her conversation to the group, Wanga reminded them they had built something solid over the years.
Local leaders in Homa Bay and Siaya have echoed similar calls for calm. Oburu himself has signalled plans to defend his Senate seat, adding another layer to the discussions.
For many ordinary supporters following from places like Kisumu town or farther afield, the key question remains whether the party can hold its base together without the larger-than-life figure of Raila at the centre.
Wanga ended confidently, telling the gathering they would meet again and keep building. Her speech has already sparked reactions online, with some praising the clarity and others debating what it means for different wings within ODM.