Ojienda breaks ODM ranks, calls for unity as political temperatures rise over Bondo visits and say they are ready to move on regardless of other members dissenting

 Days after ODM held a conference warning Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua against visiting Bondo, Kisumu Senator Tom Ojienda has broken ranks. 

Urging tolerance, national unity and political maturity in the wake of Raila Odinga’s death.

Speaking at AIC Church, Arina Estate in Kisumu, during a harambee on Sunday .

Ojienda seemed to have read the country’s mood as well as the Odingas correctly and called ODM leaders to order.

“Let everyone mourn with the Odinga family. Do not stop anyone from visiting Bondo.

 As we speak, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua is in Bondo. 

Let us focus on building a strong party that will enable His Excellency William Ruto to win in 2027. Let us focus on building a united nation.”

His remarks, delivered from the pulpit, struck a sharp contrast to ODM’s combative posture earlier in the week when the party leadership drew political lines,

 Barring Gachagua and other Kenya Kwanza leaders from visiting Bondo. 

The directive, made in reaction to Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga’s remarks on Raila Odinga’s death, 

Has since drawn widespread condemnation as reckless and ethnically charged.