ODM national chairperson and Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga has strongly rejected claims linking the Orange Democratic Movement to political violence, saying the label is unfair and based on isolated incidents.
Speaking in an interview with the Daily Nation, Wanga said ODM is a broad political movement that attracts supporters from different backgrounds, making it easy for critics to single out isolated disorder and use it to define the entire party.
She argued that the party’s long history in opposition has also shaped how its activities are policed.
According to Wanga, ODM events often lack heavy police deployment, unlike those organised by ruling parties.
She said the absence of security presence sometimes leads to disorderly behaviour, which is then blamed on the party rather than the circumstances.
“When a ruling party holds a meeting, there is usually massive police deployment. ODM does not enjoy the same,” she said.
Wanga also addressed the long-running reference to the Kasarani rally incident involving unidentified “men in black,” saying it has been unfairly used to brand ODM as violent.
She noted that the incident was one event among many peaceful rallies the party has successfully organised over the years.
Defending ODM’s record on protests, Wanga said street demonstrations have played a key role in pushing for reforms and expanding Kenya’s democratic space.
She claimed that in several cases, violence during protests has been escalated by law enforcement officers rather than demonstrators.
Citing recent Gen Z-led protests, Wanga said police actions contributed to the escalation of tensions.
She maintained that ODM’s participation in protests has been driven by reform agendas, not a desire to cause chaos.
“If pushing for reforms and expanding democracy is called violence, then so be it,” she said.
Wanga added that the party has made significant improvements in organising events and managing crowds.
She said critics often focus on a single incident while ignoring broader efforts by ODM to maintain order and professionalism at its functions.
She urged Kenyans to judge ODM based on its overall conduct and contribution to democratic reforms, rather than using selective incidents to shape public perception.
Wanga insisted that branding the party as violent oversimplifies Kenya’s complex political environment and ignores the role of security agencies in managing public order.
The remarks come amid renewed debate over political intolerance and the conduct of parties as the country slowly shifts focus toward the 2027 General Election.