Nyanza ODM leaders are seething over claims that party chairperson and Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga was handed a Sh200 million mobilisation kitty at Kisumu State Lodge ahead of President William Ruto’s September tour of Luo Nyanza.
The grapevine from Kisumu, Homa Bay and Siaya is that the money was meant to mobilise crowds, transport supporters and finance political activities designed to give Ruto a strong reception while countering the growing Linda Mwananchi movement associated with James Orengo, Edwin Sifuna and other ODM leaders.
But insiders claim some leaders, particularly from Southern Nyanza, were left out of the operation and are now demanding to know where the money went.
The allegations have added fuel to an already bitter fight over ODM’s direction following Raila Odinga’s death, with Wanga, John Mbadi, Junet Mohamed, Sam Atandi and their allies backing closer cooperation with Ruto.
The September tour exposed the political fault lines.
Wanga was prominently beside Ruto in Kisumu, Migori and Homa Bay, while Siaya Governor James Orengo stayed away from the President’s visit to his county.
Ruto subsequently attacked Orengo over his opposition politics and his association with Linda Mwananchi.
The political optics have angered sections of ODM who accuse Wanga’s camp of using money and government access to build a rival political machine in Raila’s backyard.
There is, however, an important distinction.
Government records show that ODM did receive Sh200 million through the Political Parties Fund process. The Controller of Budget records indicate the money was approved to settle an outstanding court award involving political parties funding.
Those records do not show that the money was handed to Wanga at Kisumu State Lodge for Ruto’s tour.
The State House mobilisation claim remains unverified, with no public receipt, payment schedule or official document currently establishing that such a handover took place.
ODM ya akina Oburu is not amused with Wanga
To counter Linda, Glado Panga was given 200M, pale Kisumu state lodge on a Friday before the following day, Ruto flew to Dubai
Money that can revive Mokwa Mills the way Kirinyaga has Joy millers. Tata Truck aka Jonny Bravo with a… pic.twitter.com/oqDqm6ZFzD— Maverick Aoko (@AokoOtieno_) September 24, 2026
Still, the allegation has refused to die.
ODM has previously faced accusations over the distribution of mobilisation money, with politicians publicly questioning how funds for rallies and grassroots activities were allocated.
Now, with the party split between the Ruto-aligned camp and Linda Mwananchi, the latest Sh200 million claim has become another explosive weapon in the internal war.
For Wanga’s critics, the question is simple: if Sh200 million was released for mobilisation, who received it, how was it spent and where is the account?
For now, the answers remain buried somewhere between ODM’s official accounts and the political grapevine spreading from Kisumu to Homa Bay and Siaya.
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