Atandi extends olive branch to alleged rebel ODM leaders

Samuel Atandi addresses ODM youth leaders in Kisumu, calling for unity within the Luo community ahead of the 2027 General Election. [ Rodgers Otiso, Standard]

 

Alego Usonga MP Samuel Atandi has extended an olive branch to leaders within the Luo community whom he accused of pursuing a different political direction from the rest of the ODM leadership, urging them to reunite and work together for the region’s political and economic interests.

Speaking during a youth engagement forum at Tom Mboya Labour College in Kisumu on Saturday, Atandi urged leaders within the Luo community to put aside political differences and work together for the sake of regional unity and development ahead of the 2027 General Election.

The lawmaker’s remarks came amid growing political realignments within the Nyanza region as parties and leaders intensify grassroots mobilization in preparation for the next election cycle.

Addressing ODM youth leaders and supporters drawn from different parts of Kisumu County, Atandi emphasized the need for political cohesion within the region, warning that divisions among leaders could weaken the Luo community’s bargaining power on the national stage.

“We want to ask our leaders, there are some leaders within the Luo community who are not reading with us from the same script,” said Atandi.

“I want to take this opportunity to extend an olive branch to those leaders. I want to urge you to come and work with us for the interests of our people and for the development of our people,” he added.

Although the legislator did not directly mention specific leaders, his remarks appeared to target individuals within the region who have recently adopted political positions perceived to be contrary to the dominant ODM line in Nyanza.

Atandi maintained that the region’s political strength has historically been anchored on unity, saying leaders should prioritize the collective interests of the people over personal political differences.

According to the MP, the upcoming ODM rally scheduled for May 31 in Kisumu will serve as a platform to demonstrate unity within the Luo community and reaffirm support for the party leadership.

“I want to say this, that the Luo community, as a community, is determined to ensure that in the next election our voice is heard in a very loud manner. That is the reason why today we are gathered here as youth leaders from Kisumu County,” he said.

The legislator noted that ODM youth leaders from Kisumu County had already resolved to remain united under the party and support its leadership structure.

“Our message is clear that we want this region to remain united under the ODM party led by Dr Oburu Oginga Odinga. We want to remind our people that we cannot afford to divide ourselves because that will mean our political voice will be weakened,” Atandi stated.

He urged residents from across the Nyanza region to attend the May 31 rally in large numbers, describing the meeting as a critical moment for the region to speak in one voice.

Kisumu Central MP Joshua Oron said the gathering had been convened primarily to unite young people under ODM and mobilize them ahead of the upcoming rally.

“We came here today with three objectives. The first objective is to unite youths under ODM. Our second objective is to unite our people under Dr Oburu Oginga Odinga as the party leader and Gladys Wanga as the national chairperson of the party,” said Oron.

He challenged youths attending the forum to actively participate in mobilization efforts ahead of the rally.

“Our third objective is to enable each and every young person to mobilize for the 31st. I want to encourage you and implore upon you that on the 31st, each person should come with two or three more people so that we hold the biggest rally ever seen in this region,” he added.

Seme MP James Nyikal also called on youths within the Nyanza region to remain united, saying the future of ODM depended heavily on the younger generation.

The May 31 ODM mega rally is expected to attract senior party officials, regional delegates, elected leaders, and thousands of supporters as the party seeks to consolidate its support base and reinforce unity in Nyanza ahead of the 2027 elections.