ODM to Launch “Linda Ground” County Tours This Saturday

The Orange Democratic Movement has launched a new grassroots mobilisation campaign, Operation Linda Ground, beginning this weekend with county tours in Busia and Kakamega.

The initiative was unveiled on 14 January at Kamukunji Grounds in Nairobi, where party leaders outlined plans to strengthen internal unity and expand engagement at the local level. The launch event drew a large turnout and was led by ODM chairperson Gladys Wanga and party leader Oburu Odinga.

The first phase of the campaign starts in Malaba, Busia County, on 17 January, before moving to Kakamega town on 18 January. ODM officials said Oburu Odinga will lead the meetings, which will bring together supporters and local leaders to discuss the party’s priorities, including community development and civic participation.

Speaking at the launch, Oburu Odinga said unity would guide the campaign and rejected claims of internal divisions within the party. He said ODM was not planning to expel any members and stressed that participation in the party should remain voluntary. According to him, cohesion is necessary for ODM to retain its position as the country’s largest political party.

He added that a united party would be better placed to engage in future coalition negotiations, noting ODM’s influence during the period when Raila Odinga served as prime minister. Oburu Odinga also confirmed that the party continues to support the current broad-based government arrangement, which he said will remain in place until 2027.

Party officials described Operation Linda Ground as a strategic effort to reinforce ODM’s relevance ahead of the next general election. The campaign is intended to assess and strengthen the party’s organisational structures, particularly in Western Kenya, a region regarded as a key support base.

The choice of Kamukunji Grounds as the launch venue was presented as symbolic, linking the campaign to ODM’s history and the political legacy of Raila Odinga.