Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga has condemned the violence and disruption surrounding the planned Linda Mwananchi rallies in Homa Bay, warning that political leaders are pushing Luo Nyanza towards a dangerous path.

Ruth said her heart was bleeding over the events witnessed in Homa Bay, accusing political actors of using young people to disrupt lawful political gatherings and suppress opposing voices.

She also condemned the attack on journalists Fred Ooko and Brian Ongoro of AFP, whose equipment was reportedly destroyed while covering the unfolding events.

The legislator said attacks on journalists undermine the public’s right to information, while attacks on political convoys threaten the constitutional freedoms of movement, assembly and association.

Ruth, who comes from the influential Odinga political family, said the unfolding events should force the people of Nyanza to reflect on the region’s long history of fighting for democracy and political freedom.

She invoked the legacy of her late father, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, who endured detention, political persecution and the banning of his party for championing multiparty democracy and the right of Kenyans to have genuine political choices.

She also recalled the sacrifices made by other prominent political figures, including Argwings-Kodhek, Tom Mboya and Prof. Crispin Odhiambo Mbai, who she said paid the ultimate price in the struggle for a more democratic Kenya.

Ruth said it was particularly painful that a region whose sons and daughters sacrificed heavily for democratic freedoms could now witness political differences degenerating into violence.

She warned that political disagreements should be settled through debate and persuasion rather than stones, pangas, hired youths and disruption of political meetings.

According to Ruth, the scenes witnessed in Homa Bay, including the alleged mobilisation of youths to disrupt political gatherings, attacks on journalists and heightened fear among residents, represent a worrying departure from the democratic ideals that Nyanza has historically championed.

She challenged political leaders to take responsibility for the growing political intolerance, accusing some of mobilising and funding young people to interfere with lawful political activities.

Ruth warned that continued political violence could plunge the region into a dangerous situation that would be difficult to reverse.

She called for an immediate end to the violence, urging leaders to protect political freedoms and allow Kenyans to disagree without turning political contests into confrontations.

The Kisumu legislator said Nyanza must reclaim its tradition of political debate and ensure that future generations inherit a region where political disagreement remains a conversation rather than a battlefield.