Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo has urged leaders and supporters to maintain peace and restraint in Homa Bay ahead of the Linda Mwananchi rally, condemning incitement, violence and ethnic mobilisation.
In a Facebook post on Saturday, 15 August 2026, Odhiambo said she supports freedom of speech and association but stressed that political competition must be conducted within the law and guided by constitutional principles.
“As an ardent and excellent student of the Raila Amollo Odinga School of politics, whose values and principles mirror those enshrined in Article 10 of our Constitution and Chapter 4 on the Bill of Rights, and are also in the values of our party ODM, I fully support the freedom of speech and of association,” she said.
Her remarks come as the Linda Mwananchi movement prepares to hold its mobilisation rally in Homa Bay on Sunday, 16 August, with Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and Siaya Governor James Orengo expected to lead the campaign amid heightened political tensions in the county.
The Homa Bay event has attracted heightened political attention following claims by Linda Mwananchi leaders that there have been attempts to disrupt their entry into the county.
Odhiambo said political disagreements should not be allowed to escalate into violence or ethnic mobilisation, calling on political actors to respect the rule of law.
“I condemn incitement to violence and actual violence. I do not condone the ethnicization of politics. I urge the respect for the rule of law,” she said.
The MP also appealed to residents and political supporters to prioritise peace as the rally approaches, amid heightened political activity in the county.
She further invoked her Christian faith, saying she would remain committed to her principles despite political pressure.
“Brand me whatever you want, but as a Christian, especially in our month of dedicated prayers as Adwen Sura gi Wes or SDA, I will not sell my birthright for a peace of meal,” she stressed.
Odhiambo concluded her message with a call for prayers for peace in Homa Bay.
“Join me in praying that peace prevails in Homa bay County tonight and tomorrow,” she added.
Her appeal came as Sifuna reacted to late-night activity by Linda Mwananchi supporters in Homa Bay. In a post shared on Saturday night, he wrote, “Nikama hatutalala,” as supporters were seen chanting while moving through Homa Bay streets.
Sifuna also praised the movement's advance teams for working late to prepare for Sunday's rally.
The Homa Bay mobilisation has emerged as an important test for Linda Mwananchi as the movement seeks to demonstrate its support beyond its traditional political bases.
The campaign has also generated controversy, with its leaders alleging attempts to interfere with their activities in the county.
Sifuna and his allies have maintained that the movement is exercising constitutional rights to freedom of expression, association, movement and peaceful assembly.
The government has assured organisers and participants of security during the rally. Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo has said political actors have a right to visit any part of the country provided they observe the law.
With political leaders and supporters expected to converge in Homa Bay, calls for restraint have placed peace and adherence to the law at the centre of preparations for the rally.