The event, convened by political mobiliser Oketch Salah under the banner “Linda Comrades,” unraveled dramatically when the crowd realised the much-whispered “facilitation” would not be forthcoming.
Hundreds of youths, many ferried in from campuses and Nairobi estates, packed the hall early, ready for speeches and solidarity. But as the program dragged on with no signs of the anticipated handouts, patience thinned.
When Salah finally took the microphone, he was met not with applause, but with boos and whistles that quickly snowballed into full-blown chants.
Videos circulating online capture the turning point: the crowd repeatedly chanting Embakasi East MP Babu Owino’s name, effectively hijacking the rally.
Branded banners bearing Salah’s image were torn down, some set ablaze, as pockets of youths shouted slogans demanding Babu’s leadership within ODM circles. “Bila Babu taabu” echoed loudly, leaving little doubt about where the crowd’s loyalty lay.
Security struggled to contain the situation as the meeting collapsed well ahead of schedule.
Salah was eventually forced to exit the venue as tempers flared and the crowd grew increasingly restless.
In the aftermath, ODM officials were quick to draw a line. Party figures, including Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, stated the gathering had no official party endorsement and was solely a private initiative.
Salah, for his part, blamed logistical failures and insisted future engagements would focus on smaller, campus-based forums.
The incident has reignited debate around youth mobilisation in Kenyan politics.
Critics dismissed the crowd as rented chaos, while others argued the rebellion reflected deeper frustration with transactional politics that promises more than it delivers.
What is undeniable is the symbolism of the moment. A rally organised in one man’s name dissolved into chants for another, underscoring a hard truth in Kenya’s political arena: mobilising the youth is easy, but commanding their loyalty is another battle entirely.
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