Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga has dismissed renewed calls by opposition leaders to organise street demonstrations, saying the government is focused on development and has no appetite for what she described as empty political drama. Speaking on Monday in Kisumu, Wanga maintained that the proposed protests lack a clear agenda and do not reflect the priorities of ordinary Kenyans.
Wanga said leaders allied to the government are concentrating on service delivery rather than engaging in confrontational politics. According to her, the country cannot afford to be distracted by demonstrations whose objectives are unclear. “There is no plan and no agenda being communicated. We keep hearing about protests, but we are not boarding that train. Our focus is on work and development,” she said.
The governor further noted that young people across the country are more invested in building their livelihoods than participating in political protests. She argued that the real energy of the nation lies in entrepreneurship, job creation, and improving living standards. “The youth are busy hustling, starting businesses and trying to make ends meet. That is where national attention should be,” Wanga added.
Her remarks come at a time when opposition figures have intensified calls for mass action, citing concerns over governance and the rising cost of living. However, leaders present at the Kisumu event played down the likelihood of large-scale demonstrations gaining traction.
Cooperative Development Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya echoed Wanga’s position, questioning the opposition’s ability to mobilise effective protests. Drawing from his long political experience, Oparanya said successful demonstrations require structure, numbers, and strategy. “ODM understands maandamano. We know how it works. Other groups simply do not have that capacity,” he said.
Both leaders urged Kenyans to remain calm and support ongoing development initiatives, stressing that political stability is essential for economic growth and investor confidence. They called on leaders across the political divide to prioritise unity and practical solutions to citizens’ challenges instead of fuelling tension.
