Homa Bay Governor and ODM National Chairperson Gladys Wanga has voiced concerns over former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s recent remarks regarding the dominance of the Gikuyu, Embu, Meru, and Akamba (GEMA) communities in determining Kenya’s next government.
On Sunday, February 2, Gachagua asserted that the GEMA communities would be the key force behind the next government, even without the backing of ODM leader Raila Odinga. These comments have sparked reactions from political leaders, with Wanga cautioning against ethnically driven political strategies.
Speaking to NTV on Monday, Wanga emphasized that such remarks raise political red flags and could undermine the national unity that ODM stands for. “There are some red flags, such as when someone says a certain region will sweep all seats in a place like Nairobi. That should be a cause for concern because ODM is a national party,” she stated.
Addressing ODM’s political future, Wanga reaffirmed that Raila Odinga is engaging in countrywide consultations to determine the party’s next steps. She dismissed claims that ODM has entered into any formal arrangement with the Kenya Kwanza administration. According to her, the presence of former ODM officials in government does not equate to a structured agreement between the two political camps.
“So far, there’s no formal document defining the arrangement between ODM and Kenya Kwanza. That is why, as soon as our party leader returned, he began consultations with his supporters,” Wanga explained.
Her remarks come amid speculation about a potential alliance between Raila and President William Ruto. However, she assured ODM supporters that the opposition remains steadfast in its constitutional role of holding the government accountable. “The Minority must be able to keep the government in check; that is the architecture of our constitution. Nothing at the moment stops ODM MPs from doing so,” she reiterated.
As Kenya heads toward the 2027 elections, the political landscape continues to shift, with key players maneuvering for strategic alliances. Wanga’s statements underscore the ongoing debates over the country’s political direction and the role of regional blocs in shaping national leadership.
