ODM party leader Oburu Odinga speaks during the event at CS Opiyo Wandayi's home in Ugunja, Saiya County on December 5, 2025./FAITH MATETE
ODM party leader Oburu Odinga interacts with other leaders during the event at CS Opiyo Wandayi's home in Ugunja, Saiya County on December 5, 2025./FAITH MATETEODM party leader Oburu Odinga has declared that the Luo community will no longer enter political alliances without clear negotiations, saying years of loyalty have too often ended in betrayal.
Speaking in Ugunja at the home of Energy CS Opiyo Wandayi in Siaya on Friday, Oburu traced the history of how the Luo have repeatedly offered their support only to be sidelined once those same leaders ascended to power.
“As Luo, we have always stood firm. We have always been faithful. But we have been betrayed and lied to so many times,” he said.
He added, “Now we are clever. We cannot be cheated again.”
CS Wandayi hosted Oburu, the Luo Council of Elders led by Chairman Ker Odungi Randa and his executive, both from Kisumu and Siaya; MPs Moses Omondi (Ugunja), Elisha Odhiambo (Gem), Onyango Koyoo (Muhoroni), Caroli Omondi (Suba South), Oluoch Anthony (Madhare), Aduma Owuor (Nyakach), and Gideon Ochanda (Bondo), area MCAs; and several stakeholders.
Luo Council of Elders leaders, ODM party Oburu Odinga and Energy CS Opiyo Wandayi at the CS's home in Ugunja, Saiya County on December 5, 2025./FAITH MATETE“We are in government because we were invited. So going forward, we are going to support a government we helped form; we must negotiate what we are getting out of it,” Oburu said.
Leaders follow proceedings during the event at CS Opiyo Wandayi's home in Ugunja, Saiya County, on December 5, 2025./FAITH MATETE
He insisted that any future political cooperation must be based on clear benefits for community development, representation, and respect within national structures.
“We will support him, but he must tell us what we will get upfront,” he said, signalling a broader demand for accountability from leaders seeking Luo's backing.
ODM party Oburu Odinga with Gema MP Elisha Odhiambo and other leaders at Energy CS Opiyo Wandayi's home in Ugunja, Saiya County on December 5, 2025./FAITH MATETE“We have been lied to so many times. As a community, we have never betrayed anyone. So we must be careful,” he said.
CS Wandayi, on the other hand, urged the community to remain united and strategic.
“There is nothing as big as Luo unity. Raila always told us never to allow ourselves to be divided,” Wandayi said.
He urged the community to avoid personal interests and instead focus on collective strength.
“As a Luo community, there is nothing we have not seen in politics. There is no problem we have not gone through,” he said.
Attendees during the event at CS Opiyo Wandayi's home in Ugunja, Saiya County, on December 5, 2025./FAITH MATETE
Wandayi argued that political calculations must now guide Luo's engagement with national leadership.
He added that Raila Odinga’s decision to take the community into government was one of the most strategic political moves in decades.
“If Raila left us in government, it is the most important thing. The community must find all possible means to remain there,” he said.
