Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga has criticised what she termed growing intolerance within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), following the treatment of Siaya Governor James Orengo during a funeral in Kisumu.
The incident occurred on Saturday, May 2, at Ridore Primary School grounds during the funeral service of the father of Seme MP James Nyikal, the late Eliud Okaka Nyikal, where several political leaders had gathered for the ceremony.
The service, which had initially proceeded peacefully, was disrupted when Governor Orengo arrived accompanied by his entourage, prompting a section of attendees to react and temporarily interrupt proceedings.
Ruth Odinga slams ejection of Governor James Orengo from Kisumu funeral. Photo: Courtesy.
Despite repeated appeals from clergy for calm, the situation escalated until Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o intervened to restore order and urged those involved to allow the ceremony to continue peacefully.
The governor and his team later left the venue, after which the funeral service resumed without further interruption.
Ruth Odinga expressed concern over what she described as growing intolerance within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), following the incident involving the governor.
She faulted the manner in which Orengo was reportedly handled at the event, arguing that differences in opinion should not lead to exclusion or public humiliation of party leaders.
Ruth warned that such incidents could point to a worrying trend within the party, where political disagreements are increasingly being met with hostility rather than dialogue and mutual respect.
The women rep condemned what she described as a rising culture of goonism in Nyanza politics, questioning the use of groups to intimidate leaders with differing views.
She expressed concern over growing divisions within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and the wider Luo community, warning that such tensions risk undermining the legacy of the late Raila Odinga.
Ruth argued that it was troubling for leaders to allegedly mobilize youths to eject or disrupt fellow political figures from public functions over political differences.
