Homa Bay Town Member of Parliament Peter Kaluma has sparked controversy after issuing a stern warning to residents supporting Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna ahead of planned Linda Mwananchi political activities in the county.
During a political gathering, Kaluma called out individuals associated with leaders opposed to the broad-based political arrangement between ODM and President William Ruto’s administration.
The MP warned that supporters working against the coalition party should not be spared, noting that they cannot walk free and join other political movements.
“From today, we are giving the command that anyone who says one term passes with them. If you are among us and you worked for the other side, and you don’t think you can walk with us, disappear,” Kaluma said.
Further, the MP noted that all hotels that hosted the Linda Mwananchi team during their political rallies would be seized and closed down.
According to Kaluma, during the inspection, any ally of the Linda Mwananchi would be taken down with all necessities, including fuel, fully catered for.
Kaluma emphasized that Linda Mwananchi supporters would not be treated leniently, adding that Homa Bay is an ODM zone that fully supports President Ruto’s second term.
Public Reactions to Peter Kaluma’s Warning
After the remarks, social media users accused the legislator of promoting political intolerance and called on the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) to investigate the comments.
Others questioned whether the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and NCIC would act against a senior politician, with some arguing the statement amounted to intimidating citizens based on their political leanings.
Several commentators also accused Kaluma of attempting to dictate whom Homa Bay residents should support politically, insisting that citizens should be free to attend rallies and support leaders of their choice without fear of threats.
With members of the public expressing concern about the country’s politics, some argued that if the former deputy president, Rigathi Gachagua, had made the remarks, authorities would have taken action.
Also Read: Ruto Goes After Uhuru Kenyatta for Sponsoring Sifuna and Others in Opposition
Why Sifuna Has Become a Political Target
Sifuna has positioned himself as one of the most prominent critics of the broad-based arrangement between ODM and Kenya Kwanza.
Kaluma’s warning comes ahead of planned political engagements in Homa Bay involving leaders associated with the Linda Mwananchi movement, including Sifuna, Siaya Governor James Orengo, and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino.
In recent weeks, Sifuna has intensified his countrywide Linda Mwananchi mobilization campaign, holding rallies across Western Kenya counties including Busia, Bungoma, Kakamega, and Trans Nzoia.
According to Sifuna, Linda Mwananchi is expected to take the campaign to Homa Bay, with scheduled stopovers in Nyandiwa, Sindo, and Homa Bay Town.
Ahead of the event, organizers formally notified police and requested adequate security, insisting the gathering would be peaceful despite concerns over possible disruptions.
While some ODM leaders have embraced cooperation with the government following the March 2024 agreement between Raila Odinga and Ruto, Sifuna has maintained that the party must continue to play its oversight role and speak for Kenyans dissatisfied with government policies.
Also Read: Sifuna Pushes for Landmark Reforms to Give Police Officers Right to Vote
ODM Divided Over Sifuna
Kaluma had earlier repeatedly demanded Sifuna’s resignation as both ODM Secretary-General and Senate Minority Leader, arguing that his actions are creating confusion within the party.
The Homa Bay MP further accused the Nairobi Senator of undermining ODM’s political direction by openly challenging positions supported by a section of the party leadership.
National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed also distanced ODM from some of Sifuna’s remarks, maintaining that the Senator was expressing personal opinions rather than the official position of the party.
The Homa Bay MP cautioned the leaders against using slogans such as “Wantam” and “Ruto Must Go” during their visits to the county to avoid creating political tensions in the region.
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