ODM Nairobi chairman George Aladwa has rejected claims that he and Governor Johnson Sakaja are planning to interfere with a Linda Mwananchi rally scheduled for Sunday.
Aladwa said the political movement had every right to hold its activities in Nairobi and that ODM had no plans to organise a rival event that could trigger a confrontation.
“I wish to make our position as ODM Nairobi very clear. Linda Mwananchi is free to hold its rally and conduct its political activities in Nairobi,” Aladwa said in a statement on Friday.
The Makadara MP was responding to claims by Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka that he and Sakaja were preparing to disrupt the gathering.
Aladwa dismissed the allegations and said ODM had not planned a parallel meeting in Nairobi on Sunday.
He said political organisations should be allowed to assemble, mobilise supporters and present their ideas without interference.
“As a democratic country, Kenya guarantees every political organisation and group the right to assemble, mobilise supporters and present its agenda to the people,” he said.
Aladwa said ODM had no reason to interfere with the rally. Political competition, he argued, should be about ideas and policies rather than clashes between supporters.
“As ODM Nairobi, we have no business interfering with their rally, and we will not interfere with their activities,” he said.
“Nobody in ODM has any intention of disrupting or interfering with the Linda Mwananchi rally.”
The MP called on the police to provide adequate security during the event and ensure that those attending could do so safely.
He also praised Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja for his stated commitment to maintaining security, saying the responsibility for keeping order should rest with the authorities rather than political groups.
“Let them hold their rally. Let them tell Nairobi residents what they stand for and what they intend to offer Kenyans,” Aladwa said.
He said ODM was instead concentrating on rebuilding its structures across Nairobi and preparing for the 2027 general election.
“Our focus as ODM Nairobi is elsewhere. We are currently engaged in an extensive programme to market and strengthen the party across Nairobi,” he said.
“We are rebuilding our grassroots structures, mobilising our supporters and preparing the party for the 2027 General Election.”
Aladwa said the party would not be distracted by the activities of other political formations.
He also said ODM was preparing events to mark the anniversary of the death of its former leader, Raila Odinga, whose political legacy and contribution to Kenya’s democratic reforms remain important to the party.
The Makadara MP urged ODM supporters to remain calm and avoid confrontations.
“We have nothing to prove through disruption or violence,” he said.
He called on supporters of Linda Mwananchi to extend the same respect to ODM.
“Nairobi belongs to all of us. It is a political capital where different voices and political formations must be allowed to operate freely and peacefully,” Aladwa said.
His comments come as political groups step up mobilisation ahead of the 2027 elections, with Nairobi emerging as an important arena for competing political messages.
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