Suba North MP Millie Mabona has called for peace and restraint ahead of the Linda Mwananchi rallies scheduled for Sunday in Homa Bay County, amid reports of possible violence and heightened political tensions.
Mabona said she supports the constitutional rights to freedom of speech and association, while warning against incitement, violence and the ethnicisation of politics.
“As an ardent and excellent student of the Raila Amollo Odinga School of politics,” Mabona said, she supports values and principles associated with the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, which she noted are reflected in Article 10 of the Constitution and Chapter Four on the Bill of Rights.
She said those principles also feature among the values of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), the party associated with Raila.
“I fully support the freedom of speech and of association. I condemn incitement to violence and actual violence,” Mabona said.
Her remarks come as security concerns continue to dominate discussions ahead of the rally, with political leaders and organisers trading accusations over alleged plans to disrupt the gathering.
Mabona also rejected the use of ethnicity as a political mobilisation tool, urging leaders and their supporters to operate within the law.
“I do not condone the ethnicization of politics. I urge the respect for the rule of law,” she said.
The Suba North legislator invoked her Christian faith in explaining her position, saying she would not compromise 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 piece of meal,” she said.
Mabona's comments come against the backdrop of growing attention on security arrangements for the Linda Mwananchi rallies, with concerns raised over possible confrontations between supporters of competing political factions.
She concluded by asking Kenyans to pray for peace in Homa Bay as political leaders and their supporters converge for the rallies.
“Join me in praying that peace prevails in Homabay County tonight and tomorrow,” Mabona said.
Her appeal adds to calls from political leaders and security officials for Sunday's activities to remain peaceful, as the country moves closer to the 2027 General Election.