Homa Bay Town Member of Parliament Peter Kaluma has reignited political debate in Nyanza after linking the recent chaos witnessed during opposition activities in Homa Bay to a wider political struggle involving former President Uhuru Kenyatta, Siaya Governor James Orengo and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino.
Kaluma’s remarks come at a time when political temperatures have been rising within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), particularly between leaders supporting the party’s cooperation with President William Ruto’s administration and those campaigning under the Linda Mwananchi banner.
The Linda Mwananchi camp has been associated with Orengo, Babu Owino, Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and other leaders who have maintained a critical stance towards the broad-based government.
Kaluma raises questions over Homa Bay disturbances
In his social media commentary, Kaluma questioned the circumstances surrounding the disruption of political activities in Homa Bay, appearing to suggest that the confrontation was not an isolated incident but part of a broader political contest.
The Homa Bay MP has been particularly vocal in attacking members of the Linda Mwananchi faction, accusing them of abandoning ODM’s established political direction.
In an earlier statement, Kaluma directly addressed Orengo, Babu and Sifuna, declaring:
“Babu, Sifuna, Orengo, the message is home! You left ODM thinking these guys would vote for you. Babu is gone even as they continue to inflate and fatten empty Sifuna before slaughter!”
The statement illustrates the increasingly bitter exchanges within ODM as competing factions position themselves ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Kaluma has previously maintained that the leaders associated with Linda Mwananchi made a political error by distancing themselves from the ODM establishment.
Uhuru connection enters the debate
The latest controversy has also brought former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s name into the political conversation.
Kaluma’s position reflects the broader debate surrounding the alliances being constructed ahead of 2027, particularly the emerging cooperation between sections of ODM and opposition figures allied to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
The Homa Bay MP has consistently opposed attempts by ODM figures to work with Gachagua’s camp.
In March, he said ODM would formally release several leaders, including Orengo, Babu Owino and Sifuna, to their new political allies.
“On March 27, 2026, we, the ODM party, will officially release James Orengo, Babu Owino, Edwin Sifuna and Osotsi to their Gachagua,” Kaluma wrote at the time.
He further alleged that the leaders had aligned themselves with Gachagua’s political camp before the death of former ODM leader Raila Odinga.
Homa Bay becomes another battleground
The disagreement has become particularly significant in Nyanza, where political loyalty remains closely connected to the legacy of Raila Odinga and ODM’s traditional support base.
Earlier reports indicated that Orengo’s tour of Homa Bay was disrupted by violent incidents, with the Siaya governor alleging that attacks against his convoy were targeted attempts to derail his political activities.
Orengo accused his competitors of orchestrating the violence and also raised concerns over his security.
The accusations have added to concerns about the return of political violence and the use of organised groups to disrupt political gatherings.
In July, Orengo and Babu Owino also warned that their Linda Mwananchi movement would defend itself if attacks against its rallies continued.
The two leaders accused their opponents of using organised gangs to interfere with their activities.
ODM succession battle intensifies
The political confrontation is unfolding against the backdrop of a major leadership struggle within ODM following the death of Raila Odinga.
Orengo, Sifuna, Babu Owino and Godfrey Osotsi have emerged as prominent figures within the Linda Mwananchi faction, while another wing of the party led by Oburu Oginga has pursued a different political path, including cooperation with the Kenya Kwanza administration.
The split has created competing political messages within a party that for years revolved around Raila’s leadership.
Political observers have noted that the battle is no longer simply about internal ODM positions but also about who will control the party’s grassroots machinery and determine its approach to the 2027 presidential contest.
The politician previously reported that the Sifuna-led faction had been pushing for an opposition alliance while the Oburu-led camp remained associated with the broad-based government.
Babu’s ambitions add another layer
Babu Owino has also made no secret of his ambitions beyond his current position as Embakasi East MP.
The outspoken legislator has indicated that he intends to seek the Nairobi governorship in 2027 before pursuing the presidency in 2032.
During a political gathering in Kisumu, Babu stated:
“Mimi kama Babu naenda Nairobi governorship term moja kisha 2032, ntaenda presidency.”
His ambitions have made him one of the most prominent younger politicians associated with the Linda Mwananchi movement.
Kaluma, however, has repeatedly warned Babu against abandoning ODM’s traditional political base.
In September 2025, he compared Babu’s political trajectory to Icarus, warning him:
“Babu, like Icarus, you’re flying too close to the sun! Retrace your way back to Baba before it’s late.”
He also warned that abandoning ODM could undermine Babu’s chances of becoming Nairobi governor.
Political violence raises fresh concerns
The accusations surrounding the Homa Bay incidents come at a time when concerns about political violence have resurfaced across Kenya.
Recent political rallies have occasionally been disrupted by confrontations involving rival groups, with opposition leaders accusing the government or their political opponents of deploying hired goons.
Government supporters have, in turn, rejected such allegations and accused opposition figures of exploiting unrest for political purposes.
The wider debate has renewed memories of Kenya’s history of politically instigated violence and raised questions about whether political competition ahead of 2027 could trigger further confrontations.
A recent analysis warned that the re-emergence of hired groups to disrupt political gatherings, loot property or attack opponents represents a dangerous trend for Kenya’s democratic process.
For Homa Bay and the wider Nyanza region, the latest confrontation therefore carries significance beyond a single political rally.
It reflects the deepening struggle over ODM’s future, the region’s political direction and the alliances that will shape the 2027 election.
With Kaluma and the Linda Mwananchi leaders continuing to trade accusations, Homa Bay is increasingly emerging as one of the key theatres in the battle for political influence in post-Raila Nyanza.
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