Tension continued to rise across Nyanza on Wednesday as Migori residents poured into the streets to defend Interior Principal Secretary Dr. Raymond Omollo, accusing Homa Bay Governor and ODM national chairperson Gladys Wanga of unfairly targeting him following the heated Kasipul mini-polls.
The protests, which disrupted traffic along sections of the Migori–Isebania highway, came just a day after similar demonstrations rocked Kisumu, where thousands of women from informal settlements denounced what they termed as politically motivated attacks against the PS.
In Migori, demonstrators from Suna East, Suna West, Uriri, Awendo and parts of Kuria marched while holding placards demanding that Governor Wanga “stop dragging Omollo into unnecessary wars.”
At the centre of the uproar are Governor Wanga’s post-election utterances, in which she strongly implied that Dr. Omollo secretly supported independent candidate Philip Aroko during the by-election—despite ODM fronting Boyd Were, who eventually won.
Her statements, delivered at a tense ODM meeting in Oyugis shortly after the polls, accused unnamed “government operatives aligned to UDA” of attempting to meddle in the party’s internal choices.
“This seat was an ODM seat. We will not entertain people who pretend to be with us during the day and undermine the party at night,” Wanga said in remarks widely interpreted as a direct rebuke to Dr. Omollo.
According to local political observers, Wanga’s comments ignited a storm that has now morphed into a full-scale regional backlash.
Many residents say the governor’s accusations painted the PS as a political saboteur, despite his insistence on non-partisan development.
Migori County UDA Youth Leader Paul Wuon Osama said Wanga’s statements were meant to manufacture conflict where none existed.
“Governor Wanga used the Kasipul loss narrative to falsely portray Dr. Omollo as an Aroko sympathiser. These claims are not just false—they are dangerous. The PS has never campaigned against ODM and he should not be dragged into petty wars,” said Wuon Osama.
He added that Dr. Omollo’s development footprint across Nyanza speaks for itself.
“Look at the widows who have received decent housing, the youths who have gotten tuk-tuks and boda bodas, the TVET students benefiting from fee support—these are the things Wanga should focus on, not imaginary enemies.”
Migori County Bunge La Wananchi Secretary General, Timon Omiti, said Wanga’s public claims amounted to political intimidation aimed at silencing leaders who collaborate with the national government in the ongoing broad-based agenda.
“The allegation that Dr. Omollo backed Aroko is a narrative designed to punish independent-minded leaders. It is part of a broader attempt to weaponise ODM loyalty and police thought. Nyanza must reject this culture of fear,” Omiti said.
Omiti added that the governor’s move to strip her deputy, Oyugi Magwanga, of the agriculture docket soon after the mini-polls further confirmed that political retaliation was underway.
“When a deputy governor is punished simply because he did not align with the chairlady’s favourite candidate, it shows the extent of intolerance creeping into our politics.”
Suna West resident Gabriel Opilo, who joined the protest along the Migori–Isebania highway, said Wanga’s remarks were out of line and had created unnecessary tension among communities who have long viewed Dr. Omollo as a symbol of empowerment.
“We know the truth. Dr. Omollo has been helping ordinary families for years, long before politics entered the picture. Whoever claims he was supporting Aroko should show proof. Otherwise, they should stop blackmailing leaders who are working,”
said Opilo.
Other residents echoed similar sentiments.
Mary Auma, another resident, said she feared that politicising the PS’s work might derail crucial community projects.
“If leaders keep attacking him, the programmes he supports—like widow housing—may suffer. We cannot allow party politics to scare away the only people who help us,” she said.
Dickson Ochieng, a youth leader from Awendo, said the community was tired of politics that prioritised control over development.
“We want jobs, training, security and dignity. If Wanga has a problem with Aroko, that is her fight—not the people’s. Pulling Omollo into that fight is wrong,” he said.
Political analysts now warn that the Kasipul by-election has exposed deeper fractures within ODM, as the party navigates succession struggles following Raila Odinga’s death. Wanga, as national chairperson, has been tightening internal discipline, but critics argue that her approach risks alienating leaders who enjoy grassroots support and work closely with the national government.
For Migori residents, however, the issue goes beyond party dynamics. They insist Governor Wanga’s post-election remarks unfairly singled out a leader who has consistently delivered.
As the protestors dispersed along the Migori–Isebania highway, their message remained consistent:
PS Raymond Omollo is not the problem — political intimidation is.
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